The Vietnam Expressway Corporation (VEC) has announced the approval of a project to expand the Yen Bai - Lao Cai section of the Noi Bai - Lao Cai Expressway from two lanes to four.

The project will be implemented on the section from Km123+080 to Km244+155, covering a total length of over 121 km. In addition to widening the road surface, a smart traffic system (ITS) will be installed along the entire route. The project also includes widening 43 existing bridges that do not yet meet standards, and constructing new single-span bridges with a width of 11.75 m.

A new tunnel tube, 530 m long, will be constructed on the route, featuring three one-way lanes to meet the standards for a six-lane expressway.

The project will also add Interchange IC15 at Km165+690 in a T-junction format, along with a toll station comprising two entry and two exit lanes for the expressway.

The total investment for the project is nearly VND7.7 trillion (about $290 million), with groundbreaking expected in 2025 and substantial completion by 2026.

Phase 1 of the Noi Bai - Lao Cai Expressway, nearly 245 km long, was invested by VEC and put into operation in 2014. The Noi Bai - Yen Bai section features four lanes with a design speed of 100 km/h, while the Yen Bai - Lao Cai section currently has two lanes with a design speed of 80 km/h.