Hanoi: In a strategic move to ensure the timely completion of crucial national infrastructure projects, the Ministry of Construction (MoC) has issued a directive urging project management boards to expedite the deployment of intelligent transport systems (ITS), alongside non-stop electronic toll collection and vehicle overload control mechanisms.
According to Cyprus News Agency, despite multiple directives and proactive review meetings organized by ministry leaders to address ongoing challenges, progress on several projects remains sluggish. This has resulted in missed deadlines, which in turn affects the synchronized operation plan and toll collection processes across the entire route.
The focus is on the eastern section of the North-South Expressway projects spanning the 2017-20 and 2021-25 phases. For the five component projects in the 2017-20 phase-namely Mai Son - National Highway 45, National Highway 45 - Nghi Son, Nghi Son - Dien Chau, Vinh Hao - Phan Thiet, and Phan Thiet - Dau Giay-the MoC highlights that numerous tasks remain incomplete. This directly impacts the timeline for trial operations of the full ITS, tolling, and overload control systems.
As of now, nine out of 12 component projects in the 2021-25 phase have yet to finalize contractor selection for equipment supply. These are the sections Bai Vot - Ham Nghi, Ham Nghi - Vung Ang, Van Ninh - Cam Lo, Hoai Nhon - Quy Nhon, Quy Nhon - Chi Thanh, Chi Thanh - Van Phong, Van Phong - Nha Trang, Can Tho - Hau Giang, and Hau Giang - Ca Mau.
To facilitate the timely completion and synchronized operation of these systems, the MoC mandates that project management boards focus on decisively implementing solutions to adhere to the directed timelines. For the 2017-20 phase projects, Project Management Boards 2, 7, Thang Long, and railways are instructed to urgently complete remaining items, rectify technical shortcomings, and prepare for trial system operations.
Furthermore, the installation of number plate recognition cameras at vehicle turnaround points after the weigh-in-motion systems is required. These should be connected to the tolling system to enhance the toll collection solution, along with completing optical fiber cable protection along the route.
Project Management Board 7 is tasked with coordinating with Boards 2, Thang Long, and railways to finalize data transmission connections, integrate toll stations across the five projects, conduct trial tolling operations to evaluate key performance indicators (KPIs), and report to the MoC, which will serve as a basis for deciding the official tolling start date.
Project Management Board Thang Long is urged to swiftly complete the ITS software installation, fully integrate management modules at traffic control centers along the route, and ensure conditions are met for full system trial operations.
Regarding operations management and toll collection, the MoC requires Project Management Boards 2, 7, Thang Long, and railways to lead, in coordination with the Department for Roads of Vietnam (DRVN), system trials, KPI evaluations, and report to the MoC on the official tolling implementation date for each 2017-20 component project.
Simultaneously, the DRVN is responsible for independent inspections and evaluations, coordinating handovers, and bringing ITS systems, toll stations, and overload control facilities into operation when conditions are met per regulations. They are also tasked with handling related communications on operations and tolling.
For the 2021-25 component projects, the MoC requires Project Management Boards 2, 7, 85, Thang Long, railways, Ho Chi Minh Road, and My Thuan to strictly implement MoC leadership directives, ensuring official tolling deployment from March 1 this year.
The MoC emphasizes that project management boards will be held fully accountable to the Minister of Construction if delays persist, impacting the overall progress of the North-South Expressway.