The 15.3 km expressway will connect the Thatluang Marsh Specific Economic Zone in Xaysettha district with Dongmarkkhai, to the northeast of the capital. It will take just about 10 minutes to travel the whole length of the expressway while at the moment covering the same distance over route 13 requires at least half an hour.
Eight existing roads have been planned for the new expressway alongside with two toll payment points. The estimated capacity of the road is 75,000 vehicles a day.
Construction of the expressway is expected to take 24 months, according to the report of Vientiane Times. The total cost of the project is USD 200 million. The figure is inclusive of USD 50 million which will be paid as compensation to residents and land owners who had to move to make way for the road.
Construction of the expressway is one of six priority infrastructure projects of the Lao capital. It will dramatically improve traffic along Kaysone Phomvihane Road and provide an alternative access to Road 13 South.
Expressway 1 Under Construction in Lao Capital
News in Asia
Construction of Vientiane Expressway No. 1 has recently begun in the Lao capital. The new expressway is expected to ease traffic congestion in the city which is currently experiencing traffic jams regarless a number of multilane roads and one-way streets.