Despite facing a series of “bottlenecks” related to site clearance, along with complex mountainous terrain, the project owner and contractors are making concerted efforts to accelerate construction progress, striving to achieve technical traffic opening of Component Project 2 under the Khanh Hoa - Buon Ma Thuot Expressway by May 2026.

Identifying bottlenecks

Component Project 2 under the investment project for construction of the Khanh Hoa - Buon Ma Thuot Expressway has a total length of nearly 37 kilometres. The starting point is located at Km32+00 (Tay Ninh Hoa Commune, Khanh Hoa Province), while the endpoint lies at Km68+854 (Ea O Commune, Dak Lak Province). The project is invested by the Railway Project Management Board under the Ministry of Construction, with a total investment exceeding VND 10.436 trillion.

Due to its rugged forested mountainous terrain, Component Project 2 being regarded as the section facing the most challenging construction conditions under the Khanh Hoa - Buon Ma Thuot Expressway Project.

Among the three component projects forming the entire route, Component Project 2 is regarded as the section facing the most challenging and rugged construction conditions. The alignment traverses forested mountainous areas characterised by complex geological conditions.

According to Mr. Ngo Huu Khoa, Director of the Executive Board of Package XL01 under Deo Ca Group, difficulties arise not only from the terrain but also from procedural obstacles. At present, site clearance work along the section passing through Dak Lak Province remains hindered by unresolved issues.

Beyond site clearance challenges, shortages in construction materials, particularly sand have emerged as a major obstacle affecting project progress. Sand mines granted under special mechanisms are largely situated in areas characterised by low water flow alongside modest reserves. Contractors have consequently been compelled to source alternative supplies from neighbouring provinces or from the eastern part within the province. The transport of materials across long distances has not merely increased input costs but has also left contractors less proactive in arranging simultaneous construction activities. In addition, electricity supply for material production zones, crushing stations as well as batching plants remains unstable during peak hours, thereby limiting operational capacity of heavy machinery.

Establishing a critical path for project progress

In order to keep the project on track for completion as scheduled, aside from mobilising resources, on-site management has been placed under rigorous supervision by contractors via establishment of a scientifically defined critical path schedule.

Representing the investor, Mr. Pham Van Trinh, Deputy Director at the Railway Project Management Board, stated that the unit is working in close coordination alongside local authorities with a view to thoroughly resolving outstanding obstacles. At present, construction packages within Component Project 2 have fulfilled roughly 62 percent of total workload.

Construction of Phuong Hoang Tunnel.

While carrying out directives issued by the Prime Minister together with the Ministry of Construction, the investor has instructed all contractors to undertake a comprehensive review, tighten oversight over the critical path, plus accelerate progress regarding key work items. Embracing the spirit of “overcoming sunshine, prevailing over rain”, contractors are ramping up deployment of equipment as well as manpower, organising “three shifts, four crews” at favourable locations, aiming for technical traffic opening of Component Project 2 prior to May 19, 2026.

With determination to tackle difficulties wherever they emerge, provincial leaders affirmed their commitment to stand side by side alongside relevant sectors plus local authorities situated along the project corridor, thereby decisively removing procedural barriers together with site clearance obstacles. The overarching objective lies in ensuring synchronised connectivity linking Component Project 2 with Component Projects 1 plus 3, coupled with firm resolve to bring the entire expressway to completion on schedule.

Translated by HAI LOAN