Vientiane expressway route under scrutiny
Ministries are examining the route of the planned Vientiane expressway to ensure that it avoids densely populated communities after the government recently approved construction of the 14-km expressway in the city centre.
Government bodies are carrying out a thorough study and analysis to verify that the project will be beneficial, as it will require considerable investment and high technical standards. An official in charge of the project, Dr Bouavone Souklasaeng, told Vientiane Times on May 17 the Ministry of Public Works and Transport has completed 80 percent of its study. The ministry notes that the expressway will pass through 13 villages in Xaysettha district and six villages in Xaythany district. Meanwhile the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the Ministry of Finance are looking into financing. Project officials will seek funding from several sources and will need US$150 million to US$200 million to build the expressway.
