HCMC – The North-South Expressway project’s second phase has entered the final stage of the contractor selection process, so the contractors for the first 12 bidding packages will be chosen before December 25, according to the Ministry of Transport.

The bid openings for those 12 packages with a total length of 331 kilometers will be held on December 16 to evaluate and select suitable contractors. Work on the 12 packages will start before the end of 2022.

Regarding the rest of the 13 packages, the transport ministry has asked project management boards to complete the preparation of documents before December 25 and to open the bids before January 10, 2023.

Work on those packages was required to get off the ground before January 15, 2023.

Currently, the handover of the cleared land has reached 59% of the requirement and is expected to reach 76% on the commencement date.

The transport ministry requested the relevant departments and agencies to join hands in solving problems and obstacles during the implementation of the project, especially in site clearance and material supply.

The 729-kilometer North-South Expressway project’s second phase will pass through 12 localities, comprising 267 kilometers of the Ha Tinh-Quang Tri section, 353 kilometers of the Quang Ngai–Nha Trang section, and 109 kilometers of the Can Tho–Ca Mau section.

The project has been divided into 12 subprojects with 25 bidding packages, of which the largest is worth up to VND8 trillion. It is expected to be completed in 2025 and put into service in 2026.