A 158km expressway running through Lang Son, Bac Ninh, Bac Giang provinces, and Hanoi will be built at a total estimated capitalization of about US$1.4 billion, according to an official of Vietnam Expressway Corporation (VEC).

The final feasibility study report for this project was presented by VEC and representatives of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to the Ministry of Transport in Hanoi on February 17, said Tran Ngoc Hoang, Vice Director General of VEC.

The future expressway will begin at the Huu Nghi (Friendship) Border Gate in the northern province of Lang Son and end at the crossroads of National Highway 1A and 5 in Hanoi.

It will have six lanes, allowing vehicles to travel at a speed of 80-120km per hour.

ADB will provide about US$500 million for the project, the government about $180 million. The rest will be sought from other donors.

VEC says the expressway aims to meet the increasing travel demand between Hanoi and northern provinces and facilitate trade between Vietnam and China, as well as boosting the development of the northeastern economic zone.

(VOV)