Review Underway for Nearly VND77 Trillion Expressway Linking Three Central Highlands Provinces
The proposed Western North-South Expressway section connecting Pleiku, Buon Ma Thuot and Gia Nghia is expected to become a major growth driver for the Central Highlands, enhancing regional connectivity and supporting long-term socio-economic development.
The Ministry of Construction has requested Duc Long Gia Lai Group Joint Stock Company, the project’s proposed investor, to review and recalculate the scale, alignment and preliminary investment cost of the Western North-South Expressway section linking Pleiku, Buon Ma Thuot and Gia Nghia.
According to the ministry, several proposed urban bypass sections overlap with previously planned phases of the Western North-South Expressway network, including the Pleiku Bypass, Buon Ho Bypass, Ea H'leo Bypass and the eastern bypass of Buon Ma Thuot.
To provide a sufficient basis for reporting to the Prime Minister and seeking approval to study the project under a public-private partnership (PPP) model before 2030, the ministry has asked the investor to urgently review and refine its proposal to ensure feasibility and compliance with current regulations.
Nearly 258 Kilometers Across Three Provinces
Under the investor’s proposal, the expressway would stretch approximately 258 kilometers through three Central Highlands provinces:
- Gia Lai: nearly 57 km
- Dak Lak: about 126 km
- Lam Dong: approximately 75 km
The route would begin at National Highway 19 in Bau Can Commune, Gia Lai Province, and terminate at the Gia Nghia–Chon Thanh Expressway and National Highway 14 in Nhan Co Commune, Lam Dong Province.
In the initial phase, the project is proposed as a fully developed four-lane expressway with a roadbed width of 24.74 meters and a design speed of 100 km/h.
The preliminary investment cost is estimated at nearly VND77 trillion (approximately US$3 billion).
Local Governments Commit Funding Support
Earlier, the provinces of Gia Lai, Dak Lak and Lam Dong jointly submitted recommendations to the Prime Minister proposing that the Ministry of Construction serve as the competent authority responsible for implementing the project under the PPP framework.
Local authorities have also pledged financial participation:
- Gia Lai Province has committed approximately VND3 trillion.
- Dak Lak Province has pledged up to VND5 trillion from its local budget.
- Lam Dong Province has agreed to contribute VND3 trillion.
The commitments are expected to strengthen the project's financial foundation and demonstrate regional support for one of the Central Highlands' most significant transport initiatives.
Strategic Link in the Central Highlands Transport Network
If approved and implemented, the Pleiku–Buon Ma Thuot–Gia Nghia Expressway would play a critical role in boosting economic growth, facilitating trade and improving mobility across the Central Highlands.
The route would also connect with several major east-west expressways, including:
- Khanh Hoa–Buon Ma Thuot Expressway
- Phu Yen–Dak Lak Expressway
- Chon Thanh–Gia Nghia Expressway
- Nha Trang–Lien Khuong Expressway
Together, these corridors would form an integrated transportation network linking the Central Highlands with coastal provinces and seaports, while strengthening regional connectivity, logistics capacity and national security infrastructure.