HCMC – The government of the northern mountainous province of Lai Chau has proposed the government develop the 8.8-kilometer Hoang Lien tunnel between the province’s Tam Duong District and Lao Cai Province’s Sa Pa Town to replace a 22-kilometer road section passing through the Hoang Lien Pass on National Highway 4D.
The project will include a 2.5-kilometer tunnel and an approach road and a bridge totaling 6.3 kilometers. The project was planned to start at National Highway 4D and end at O Quy Ho Ward, Sa Pa Town, news site VnExpress reported.
The project requires an estimated investment of VND3.3 trillion, including VND2.5 trillion sourced from the State budget in the mid-term public investment allocated to Lai Chau Province and VND800 billion from the budgets of localities, and was expected to be completed before 2025.
According to the Lai Chau government, the Hoang Lien Tunnel, once in place, will help shorten the travel time through the Hoang Lien Pass from 52-120 minutes to 11 minutes.
In addition, Lai Chau has come up with many tourism development projects. The infrastructure development will help attract more tourists from Lao Cai to Lai Chau, contributing to the province’s economic development.
At present, vehicles traveling on the Hoang Lien Pass with 40 bends have been facing a high risk of traffic accidents, especially in the winter when fog, snow and ice are common.
