Vientiane–Boten Expressway

The Vientiane–Boten Expressway (officially referred to as the Lao-China Expressway) (Lao: ທາງດ່ວນ ລາວ-ຈີນ) is a partially completed expressway between Boten, on the China–Laos border, and Vientiane, the capital of Laos. It roughly parallels Route 13.

Vientiane–Boten Expressway
Lao-China Expressway
ທາງດ່ວນ ລາວ-ຈີນ
Vientiane–Boten Expressway - Mapillary (cEoKnQCG4VlcGB7O3zs4yg).jpg
Near Boua, Naxaithong District
Major junctions
FromSikeut, Naxaithong, Vientiane Prefecture
Major intersections G8511 Kunming–Mohan Expressway
ToBoten
Vientiane–Vang Vieng Expressway
Length113.5 km (70.5 mi)
FromVientiane
FromVang Vieng
Location
CountryLaos
Highway system

The expressway is the first in Laos.[1]

Construction of the expressway is divided in four sections:[2]

The first section to be completed is the Vientiane–Vang Vieng Expressway; in June 2020, it was 71% complete[3] and, in December 2020, it was inaugurated. Preparation work for the Vang Vieng–Luang Prabang section was to commence after opening of the Vientiane–Vang Vieng section.[4]

Vientiane–Vang Vieng Expressway
Under construction in May 2020
Vientiane toll station, the terminus of the expressway

Construction of the first section began at the end of 2018 and was initially scheduled to finish in 2021, but was already completed on 20 December 2020.[5][6] The road shortens the trip by 43 km compared with the existing Route 13. The expressway toll will be 550 kip per kilometre, or about 62,000 kip for a one-way trip between Vientiane and Vang Vieng.[3]

The trip from Vientiane to Vang Vieng is shortened from 4 hours to 1.5 hours using the expressway.[7] Speeds on the expressway are designated at 120 km per hour on flat terrain from Sikeut village to in Vientiane Prefecture, and 80 km per hour through the more mountainous section between Phonhong and Vang Vieng Districts.[3][8] The road includes double tunnels measuring almost 900 m (3,000 ft) through Phoupha Mountain.[3]

The expressway is 95 percent owned by Chinese developer Yunnan Construction Engineering Group, who are also the developer, and five percent by the Laotian government.[7] The cost is estimated at US$1.2 billion.[9] The developer will retain a 50 year concession on tolls from the expressway.[8]

List of interchanges

Vang Vieng–Luang Prabang Expressway

The Lao government has approved the construction of the second section from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang, with a length of 137 km (85 mi). Once completed, the travel time would be reduced from 6 hours to 90 minutes.[10][11]

See also

References
  1. Carlisle, Peter (2020-11-17). "Laos eagerly anticipates opening of Vientiane-Vangvieng section of its first expressway, the China-Laos expressway". Thailand Construction and Engineering News. Retrieved 2020-12-21.
  2. "ທາງດ່ວນວຽງຈັນ ວັງວຽງ ຄືບໜ້າຫຼາຍແລ້ວ ຈະສາມາດເປີດໃຊ້ໄດ້ໃນທ້າຍປີ2020ນີ້". KaoToday. 2020-01-19. Retrieved 2020-12-21.
  3. "Laos' super highway—the Vientiane-Vangvieng expressway is 70% complete". The Star. The Vientiane Times/Asian News Network. 13 June 2020. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  4. Citrinot, Luc. "Vang Vieng Soon to Be 90 Minutes Away by Road from Vientiane". Retrieved 2020-12-21.
  5. "Vientiane Times". www.vientianetimes.org.la. Retrieved 2020-12-21.
  6. "1st expressway in Laos inaugurated".
  7. "Vientiane to Vangvieng section of China-Laos expressway under construction". Xinhuanet. Xinhua. 21 August 2019. Archived from the original on August 28, 2019. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  8. Southivongnorath, Souknilundon (25 September 2019). "Vientiane-Vangvieng Expressway 40 per cent complete". Asia News Network.
  9. Yap, Jasmina (24 November 2017). "China Invests in Vientiane-Vang Vieng Expressway". The Laotian Times.
  10. "ລັດຖະບານລາວ ອະນຸຍາດແລ້ວ ແຜນການກໍ່ສ້າງທາງດ່ວນ ວັງວຽງ-ຫຼວງພະບາງ…." Target Magazine (in Lao). Retrieved 2021-05-04.
  11. Laos: A Travel Survival Kit. Lonely Planet Publications. 2007.


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