The People’s Committee of Lam Dong Province in Vietnam’s Central Highlands region is seeking approval for adjusting the use of 486 hectares of forest in its administrative area to facilitate the construction of an expressway.

The provincial governing body has appraised the current status of forest resources affected by the Bao Loc - Lien Khuong Expressway project, which is scheduled to start construction later this year.

The route is expected to be completed at the same time as the Long Thanh - Tan Phu and Tan Phu - Bao Loc Expressways, thereby thoroughly connecting Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai Province, and Da Lat City in Lam Dong.

Results of the appraisal, carried out by the Lam Dong Department of Agriculture and Rural Developments, showed that the 486 hectares of forest in question consists of 8.49 hectares planned for forestry production and 477.51 hectares for non-forestry activities, covering Bao Loc City, Bao Lam, Di Linh, and Duc Trong Districts.

The Bao Loc - Lien Khuong Expressway will be more than 73 kilometers in length and have four lanes totaling 24.75 meters wide upon completion.

The total investment in the project is about VND11.3 trillion (US$497 million) and will come in the form of public–private partnership (PPP), including VND1.5 trillion ($68 million) from Lam Dong Province’s budget. 

The construction period is estimated at 24 months, with authorities expected to open the route to traffic in 2025.

Its payback period is calculated at 20 years.

Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh had earlier urged the relevant ministries, agencies, and localities to implement legal procedures to ensure the construction progress of the expressway during a working session with Lam Dong leaders in December 2021.

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