At the construction site of the Phu Thu Interchange (Ninh Binh Province), over 100 engineers, technicians, and workers from the VINACONEX–Trung Chinh joint venture are working around the clock, through holidays, striving to complete the project by early September 2025, in celebration of the 21st Party Congress of Ninh Binh Province.
Phu Thu Interchange the most advanced traffic infrastructure project on Cau Gie to Ninh Binh section under the North - South Expressway, with a total investment of VND 1.4 trillion. It is being built by the joint venture of Vietnam Import-Export and Construction Corporation (VINACONEX) and Trung Chinh Trading and Construction Co., Ltd.The interchange is designed as a three-level grade-separated interchange. Level 1 consists of a tunnel on the Cau Gie – Ninh Binh expressway with six lanes, designed speed of up to 120 km/h. Level 2 features a roundabout with a 40-meter radius and four standard branch roads (Class-III delta roads). Level 3 is an overpass for the Ring Road No. 5 - Hanoi Capital Region crossing above the expressway.Construction began in May 2023, due to the high traffic volume on the Phap Van - Cau Gie Expressway, the project has been divided into three phases (Phase 1 involved building two temporary highway ramps to facilitate tunnel construction; Phase 2 focuses on the tunnel itself; and Phase 3 includes completion of all remaining components). According to the contract, the entire project is slated for completion by the end of 2025. However, construction progress has significantly accelerated, the tunnel is expected to open to traffic by July 2025 (marking the end of Phase 2), and all remaining works - including 04 toll stations, the roundabout, utility trench, road signs, and landscaping are projected to be completed by September 2025, three months ahead of schedule.As of early July, both the closed and open-cut tunnel sections of the project have been completed. Final works such as road surface finishing, guardrail installation, road marking, and lighting systems are being carried out in parallel to enable vehicle access through the tunnel in this month.At both tunnel entrances, VINACONEX’s two construction teams are paving the surface simultaneously from each end toward the center.Mr. Cao Van Hung, on-site engineer of VINACONEX, shared: “Our remaining tasks include paving the entrances and the tunnel interior, painting road markings, and installing traffic safety systems. We have completed asphalt layers C25, C19, and C12.5, and are now applying the anti-skid top layer on both the tunnel entrances and within the tunnel. If the weather holds, paving should be finished by mid-July. We aim to complete all works by July 30, meeting all technical requirements for traffic opening. To meet this milestone, we currently have four teams with over 50 engineers and workers working nonstop 24/7.”While contractors are ramping up manpower and machinery to accelerate progress, Construction Investment Project Management Board – Ha Nam province is simultaneously preparing necessary documents for submission to the Department for Roads of Vietnam, the Ministry of Construction, aiming for timely inspection and approval to open the tunnel to traffic within July. Given the current pace, the investor and contractors are confident the project will be completed 3 - 4 months ahead of schedule, opening to traffic in July and reaching full completion by September 2025. The interchange is a key infrastructure project to welcome the 21st Party Congress of Ninh Binh province.As for Trung Chinh’s scope of work, the contractor has completed four tunnel segments totaling 320 meters of closed tunnel and 260 meters of open-cut tunnel. Teams are now painting tunnel walls, shaping slopes on the northern approach, and installing lighting systems and steel guardrails in preparation for road surfacing.Upon completion, Phu Thu Interchange will connect to the Cau Gie - Ninh Binh expressway (part of the planned Ring Road No. 5) at the northern gateway of Phu Ly City. The project plays a critical role in forming the eastern-western backbone of the province, contributing to the development of inter-regional transport networks, and enhancing economic cooperation between Ninh Binh and neighboring provinces.
