Lao government to build 6-lane road for central Vientiane

The government is considering building a six-lane road in Vientiane as part of its plan to upgrade the city's road network and minimise traffic congestion, Vientiane authorities announced on Monday.

The new road would link the Phonthan T-junction through That Luang marsh to the villages of Nonvay and Nakhuay and then join the 450 Year Road.

The government meeting on October 20-21 placed this project on the list of issues for consideration at a meeting between the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Ministers in early November.

Vice Mayor of Vientiane Mr Keophilavanh Aphaylath told Vientiane Times yesterday the project could be funded by converting land into capital, similar to the way the construction of the 450 Year Road was funded.

The authorities would reserve land on both sides of the road to cover the cost of construction, but it was unclear how much land might be reserved or exactly how much the project will cost.

The authorities have contracted a private company to study the project's feasibility, including drawing up a design and estimating costs.

“We wanted to start the project by the end of this year, but I think we might not be able to. We now hope to start construction early next year,” Mr Keophilavanh said.

The authorities have three reasons for wanting to build the road, one of which is to facilitate access to the industrial zone at Km 21 in Xaythany district. The government has set up the zone, but without the necessary infrastructure investors are reluctant to do business in the area.

The road would also create an alternative entry into the capital from the south. Currently, motorists can only use Kaysone Phomvihane Road for southbound travel. The planned road would ease traffic congestion on Kaysone Phomvihane Road and in Vientiane as a whole.

The third objective of the project is to expand Vientiane and encourage businesses to move outside the city centre. Officials believe that more development in the existing business district will create more traffic congestion, so they want to encourage development in the suburbs.

The authorities plan to surface the road with concrete, after learning lessons from the construction of the 450 Year Road.

A concrete surface will be more durable and stand up to the traffic for much longer than a bitumen road.

The 20km 450 Year Road linking the Dongdok area to the Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge in Dongphousy village, Hadxaifong district, was built last year by reserving 50m of land on either side of the road for sale. Sale of this land paid for the cost of construction, which amounted to about US$78 million.

By Somsack Pongkhao

Vientianetimes

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