Construction of the Ben Luc - Long Thanh Expressway has been sped up after being allocated capital of over VND7.5 trillion ($317 million) to ensure completion by the third quarter of 2025 as scheduled, according to project investor the Vietnam Expressway Development Investment Corporation (VEC).

The VEC told a delegation from the Ministry of Transport inspecting the construction site on July 9 that contractors have committed to completing contract packages within the next 12 months.

Construction of one of three contract packages using capital from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has now been completed, according to the VEC.

Overall construction of the 58-km Ben Luc - Long Thanh Expressway began in 2014, running through the Mekong Delta province of Long An, the southern province of Dong Nai, and Ho Chi Minh City.

It was initially expected to be completed in 2020 but fell behind schedule due to difficulties in site clearance and capital arrangements.

The Prime Minister decided to extend the project’s timeframe to September 2025.

Total investment is estimated at VND30 trillion ($1.268 billion).