ROAD DEVELOPMENT AND ROAD CONSTRUCTION IN LAOS

[Lone Rider]

Another dirt road gone - Rd 16A from Road 16 at Paksong to Ban Munhouamong also known as Ban Lak 52 at Road 1-I

While travelling from Attapeu/Sekong to Pakse I took Rd 16A which used to be a nice dirt toad with lots of waterfalls like the Xekatam Falls. The waterfalls are still there but the road is now mostly paved with only a few stretches left where they are still working on the road.

The road on the east side near Rd 1-I

The road on the west side near Paksong

A short stretch of the road (a few kilometers) they were still working on

Another few hundred meters to be finished

The 120 meter high Xekatam Falls right next to the road

 

[Lone Rider]

Work begins on road linking Laos to Thailand

The construction and upgrade of roads linking Ban Huak in Phayao province in Thailand to the Xayaboury and Bokeo provinces of Laos has commenced and is expected to be finished within 30 months. The cost of the project is estimated at 1.39 billion Thai baht (347.5 billion kip), with financial support to be provided by the Neighboring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA) Thailand. The construction contract was recently signed in Vientiane between the Ministry of Public Works and Transport and the contracted companies. The signing was attended by Minister of Public Works and Transport Dr Bounchan Sinthavong, representatives from the Thai and Lao governments and the construction companies. According to the ministry, the project is divided into two contracts.

The first is for the construction of the road from Khob district in Xayaboury province to Konteun village, Paktha district in Bokeo province, which will be 54 kilometers long and carried out by Sino Thai Engineering and Construction Public Co. Ltd.

The second is for the road from Ban Huak in Phayao province to Khob and Xienghone districts in Xayaboury province. This road will be 56 kilometers long and constructed by Nawarat Patankarn Public Co. Ltd.

The project was surveyed and designed in 2012 over an eight-month period. The new road will be nine meters wide and paved with two layers of concrete. The overall objective of the project is to facilitate better transportation to other provinces and countries in the Greater Mekong Sub-region.

Source: Adapted from Vientiane Times

The local border crossing at Ban Huak which will link with the new roads mentioned in the Vientiane Times article.

 

[screamingeagle]

Work begins on road linking Laos to Thailand

They are also upgrading and making a new road from Phusang to Ban Huak in anticipation of the border crossing becoming full service. The head of Immigration
there is not divulging when, due to the set backs. The original upgrade was Thai approved to open Xmas 4 years ago but the Laos Govt stalled.
Also the current road runs through the National Park past the waterfall but they also vetoed a road expansion making them choose an alternative
route which has now been surveyed and work commenced. Been holding out for this for 8 years now. Fingers crossed.

 

[Lone Rider]

Work begins on road linking Laos to Thailand

They are also upgrading and making a new road from Phusang to Ban Huak in anticipation of the border crossing becoming full service. The head of Immigration
there is not divulging when, due to the set backs. The original upgrade was Thai approved to open Xmas 4 years ago but the Laos Govt stalled.
Also the current road runs through the National Park past the waterfall but they also vetoed a road expansion making them choose an alternative
route which has now been surveyed and work commenced. Been holding out for this for 8 years now. Fingers crossed.

Yes, this has been in the planning for quite some time - In 2012 it was announced that the border would open - see: http://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/red-tape-border-crossing-requirements/1340-new-thai-laos-border-crossing-ban-huak.html#post9337

and the funds to construct these roads were already approved by NEDA in November 2012 - see: http://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/laos-information/2750-neda-set-fund-new-roads-laos.html#post20824

 

[Lone Rider]

Mac sent me this article from the Bangkok Post on the new roads linking Phayao in Thailand with Laos via the Ban Huak Border Crossing

29 May 2014, Bangkok Post, KARNJANA KARNJANATAWE Email karnjanak@bangkokpost.co.th if you have any comments to share.

TRAVEL TITBITS - The roads to Laos

The red line indicates new roads project linking Phayao to Xayaburi.

The new road project linking Phayao to Xayaburi will be built to facilitate trading, logistics and tourism between Thailand and Laos.

Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction signed the contract with the Lao government at the beginning of this month.

The Thai government has approved the budget of almost 1.4 million baht, of which 80% is a 30-year loan to the Lao government and the rest is 20% in financial aid, according to Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (Neda) vice-president Teerasak Mongkolpod.

The project comprises five connected roads. First is the 63km-long road starting at Ban Huak of Phu Sang district in Phayao and crossing the border to Muang Khop and Muang Xiang Hone in Laos. The second is 25km-long from Muang Khop to Ban Kontun in Laos. The 13km third route is inside Muang Xiang Hone. An 8km-long road will be inside Muang Khop, and the last is a 2km route linking Ban Pakkhop with the Mekong River. The project is expected to be completed in 2016.

In addition, a new immigration facility will also be built in both countries. In Thailand, the immigration office will be located in Ban Huak. In Laos, it will be located at Ban Pak Mon of Muang Kop district in Xayaburi province.

 

[2wheels]

Very interesting indeed.

I think the budget figure here may be wrong Auke/Mac; even I could fund that!

The Thai government has approved the budget of almost 1.4 million baht,

 

[Lone Rider]

Very interesting indeed.

I think the budget figure here may be wrong Auke/Mac; even I could fund that!

Yes, Ron you are right and thanks for pointing it out - the M should be a B - as shown in a few posts above this one or see here: http://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-...pment-road-construction-laos-5.html#post43094

The construction and upgrade of roads linking Ban Huak in Phayao province in Thailand to the Xayaboury and Bokeo provinces of Laos has commenced and is expected to be finished within 30 months. The cost of the project is estimated at 1.39 billion Thai baht (347.5 billion kip), with financial support to be provided by the Neighboring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA) Thailand. The construction contract was recently signed in Vientiane between the Ministry of Public Works and Transport and the contracted companies. The signing was attended by Minister of Public Works and Transport Dr Bounchan Sinthavong, representatives from the Thai and Lao governments and the construction companies. According to the ministry, the project is divided into two contracts.

 

[mactbkk]

Vientiane Times June 3, 2014 5:53 pm
The construction of new roads to link the northern parts of Laos and Thailand through Xayaboury province has commenced after the a funding agreement between the two countries was reached last month.

The new project comprises five connected roads with the first one being 63km long and begins at Ban Huak, Phu Sang district, Phayao province in Thailand and crosses to Khop district in a southeast direction towards Xianghone district in Xayaboury province.

The second road to be constructed will be 25km long and stretches from Khop district northwards through Ban Pakkhop to Ban Kontun in Xayaboury province.

There will also be a 13km-long route in Xianghone district, an 8km-long road will be running through Khop district and lastly a 2km-long road will link Ban Pakkhop to the Mekong River near Pakbeng.

The construction is funded by the Thai government at a cost of almost 1.4 million baht with 80 percent being a 30-year loan to the Lao government and the rest as financial aid.

The project manager Buakham Vannaly said the roads would be part of a road network in the sub-region and would connect with Road 2W through the Mekong River at Pakbeng in Oudomxay province.

He said the road link would facilitate trading, logistics and tourism between Laos and Thailand particularly in the transportation of crops to Thailand and the flow of tourists from the northern parts of Thailand to the northern parts of Laos such as Luang Prabang.

Sino-Thai Engineering and Construction will undertake the project, which is expected to last around 30 months.

Buakham said the construction begun a little later than they had expected as the contractor has to import several pieces of equipment and materials.

A survey is currently being conducted to assess the possible impact to existing utilities and residential properties such as power grids, telephone posts and agricultural lands, he said.

According to Buakham, the existing 3-metre wide roads would be expanded to 7 metres.

Once the road link has been completed, it will become one of the most important Laos-Thailand border crossing points in Xayaboury province as it is situated in both the north and south regions of the province with a crossing point at Nam Heuang Friendship Bridge on Road No. 4 in the southern part of the province.

This will prove to be a closer and easier way to enter the northeast parts of Thailand as well as the popular Lao tourist destination of Luang Prabang.

 

[Lone Rider]

Highway 11 - Kaoliew-Sangthong road on track for June completion

Construction of National Road No. 11 linking Kaoliew in Vientiane's downtown area with Phialath in Sangthong district is set to be complete in another eight months. According to an official in charge of the project, construction of the 56 kilometre asphalt road began in May 2011 and is now 63 percent complete, with all survey and design work now finished. The road is being built on a 10 metre wide strip with 7 metres of vehicle-carrying surface.

The project includes building two feeder roads to Phialath with a combined length of 26 kilometres, nine bridges with a combined length of 450 metres, drainage channels and the installation of traffic signage. The aggregate base is 80 percent complete, surfacing 30 percent finished, and bridge construction 40 percent complete. Construction of the new road is being financed by the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency in Thailand, in the form of a soft loan amounting to 348 billion kip.

View attachment 22474
Location of the upgrading of Highway 11 from Kaoliew (Vientiane) to Sangthong and the bridge over the Nam Sang where it links with the existing paved road 11 to Ban Vang

Road from capital to Sangthong district will be finished this month

Vientiane road users will be more comfortable traveling from the capital to the outer district of Sangthong once the asphalting of Road No.11 from Tadthong junction in Sikhottabong district to Sangthong district is completed this month, the head of the project has said. Ministry of Public Works and Transport representative and Head of the Road No.11 improvement project Mr Pasongsin Chaleurnsouk told Vientiane Times on Monday 82 kilometers of road would be asphalted. Of that, 56km was the stretch from Tadthong junction, Sikhottabong district to Namsang Bridge, Sangthong district. The remaining 26km is the part of Road No.11 running through Sangthong town itself.

The longer stretch (along the Mekong River) will be 10 meters wide while the road through the town will be seven meters wide. “We are now 97 percent complete with the asphalt pavement and we will finish all asphalt pavement within the month. After that we will finish all the decorations, including installing signs, kilometer markers and painting white lines on the road in July.” He said the project cost 1.392 billion Thai baht and was supported by Thailand's Neighboring Economic Development Agency (NEDA). NEDA provided 30 percent of the cost as an aid grant and the rest as a low-interest loan. Work on the project began in May 2011 and will be finished in July, Mr Pasongsin said. Sangthong district is located on the outskirts of the capital. It is due to officially graduate from its status as one of the country's poorest districts at the end of this month.

Adapted from: Log In, June 11. 2014

 

[bsacbob]

I would say from riding that section earlier this year 85% complete is more accurate, will be a great road when finished i hope they push on to the Friendship bridge west on route 11.

 

[Lone Rider]

Phongsaly road to be completed ahead of schedule

National Road/Highway 1A in Phongsaly province is expected to be finished 18 months earlier than scheduled after work on the project commenced last year. According to the Socio-Economic Newspaper on Wednesday, the total length of National Road No. 1A is some 142km, running from Bounneua district to the International Border Crossing at the Lantui area where Phongsaly province borders with China. Works were originally scheduled to take 54 months to complete but this has now been revised downwards with construction already almost 40 percent complete. The cost of construction is estimated at US$96.5 million, funded through a low interest loan from Exim Bank of China.

Currently the route is a narrow red earth road some 5.4 metres in width which was deteriorated and almost impossible to travel in the wet season so it badly needs upgrading. The upgraded road will be widened and paved with two layers of asphalt, its width varying depending on the terrain. A representative of the Chinese contractors told the newspaper that the road works should be finished earlier than scheduled because the project has sufficient construction machines and many experienced workers while funds are readily available

Source: Log In Vientiane Times June 16, 2014

 

[Lone Rider]

While passing by on my way home I made a quick side trip to have a look at this new road. There is considerable progress with some 14 km. now paved out of the 32 km planned but when I asked when the border crossing would become truly International I only got smiles on the Laos side. The road is supposed to be ready in June this year and with some luck the border crossing will then become international (some 12-13 month after they had the Official opening of the International border crossing in May 2013).

Some pictures of the road and the existing Immigration office in Ban Pakheo which is still some 8 km. from the actual border.

View attachment 25501

View attachment 25502

View attachment 25503
View attachment 25500

Road 4 opened in Xayabouly

(KPL) Road No 4 with a 27.99-km length stretching between Ban Kengsao in Parklai district Xayabury Province and Lao-Thai common border was officially opened on 26 June 2014. Present at the opening ceremony were Minister of Public Works and Transport, Mr Bounchan Sinthavong, Xayabury Governor, Mr Phongsavanh Sitthavong, Utaradith Governor of Thailand, Mr Chad Kittinoppadol, representatives of the Neighboring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA) of Thailand, Mr Teerasak Mongkonpod and relevant officials. The construction of the Paklai-Phuodu road (No 4) with a total investment of over 179 billion kip was funded by NEDA.

This road is expected to facilitate the socio-economic development in the province and the transport between province and neighboring countries especially Thailand.

Source: :: KPL :: Lao News Agency

Note LR - This road leads to the International Border Crossing between Uttaradit (Phu Du) and Paklai in Laos. Not sure though if this border crossing is now open also after they finished the road leading to it on the Laos side: http://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/red-tape-border-crossing-requirements/3733-pu-du-border-crossing-uttaradit-province-paklay-laos.html

 

[Lone Rider]

Paklai-Phu Doo road link opens

Xayaboury province: The reconstruction of a new road (Rd. 3612 on the GPS Maps but Rd. 4 according to KPL News) linking Paklai district in Xayaboury province with Phu Doo in Uttaradit province, Thailand has been completed and is now open for use. Paklai-Phu Doo Road connects with Road No.4 at the Kaengsao village junction in the district, which links the Lao-Thai International Crossing Point at Nam Heuang Friendship Bridge with the National Road No.13 in Xieng Ngeun district, Luang Prabang province. The Ministry of Public Works and Transport's project was implemented by Thai Ch. Karnchang Plc and included the reconstruction of the road to a width of 10 metres with a five centimetre asphalt-concrete surfacing.

The road is a section of the 422km strategic east-west road connection in the sub-region, with the starting point in Myawaddy of Myanmar and passing through Thailand to Paklai district in Laos. The project includes the construction of two asphalt-concrete roads constructed with a combined length of 4.2km to connect Buamlao and Phakeo villages with the main road, the construction of 14 buildings to house the new migration checkpoint office on the Lao border near Phakeo village and the installation of utilities and equipment.

Adapted from: Vientiane Times

Note LR: From the article in the Vientiane Times it appears that also all the Immigration/Customs building are now ready and one may presume that the crossing is now an International Border Crossing Point. Will try to check later this week to get this confirmed.

 

[Lone Rider]

Investors pledge to resume work on Road 18A

A joint venture company investing in a bauxite mine project in southern Champassak province has pledged to resume work to upgrade National Road 18A following recent delays, a senior government official has confirmed. Upgrading the 106 km long road, part of which is currently unpaved, into an asphalt one is part of an agreement reached with Sino-Lao Aluminum Corporation Limited (SLACO) which aims to undertake exploration and bauxite mining activities. The road links Road 13 South in Pathoumphone district of Champassak province to the Attapeu provincial capital. Officials said the development of the road was not being done in exchange for the mine but is a form of development contribution to the southern region by the investors.

It was reported previously that the investors had received permission from the government to conduct the survey and design of an alumina processing plant at the end of 2008. Under the agreement, which SLACO signed with the government in September 2008, the company was required to identify a bauxite mine area, conduct a road survey and identify a location for and design of an alumina processing plant within two years. In June 2012, the company signed a contract with Lao authorities to upgrade and develop the Road 18A at a cost of US$76 million, which was expected to take three years to complete, according to the Ministry of Public Works and Transport. But work to develop and upgrade the road has run into delays with only about 9.4 percent of total work having been undertaken so far.

The ministry explained the delay in a document submitted to the National Assembly (NA) in response to a question raised by residents of the southern region who asked about the slow progress of the road through the NA hotline during its ordinary session convened in December last year. The ministry said the investors experienced some financial disruptions which were the cause of the delay. Director of the Attapeu Public Works and Transport Department Mr Phetmixay Khamphakdy told Vientiane Times yesterday that authorities invited the investors for talks last month and the company pledged to resume work to develop the road. Residents in the southern region have complained through the hotline about the poor condition of Road 18A, saying that in some communities, villagers were cut off from outside and patients wanting to go to hospitals are among those suffering the most.

Source: Vientiane Times (Latest Update July 01, 2014)


From my trip report to the South of Laos in April/May 2014:

 

[Lone Rider]

Road project delayed in Borikhamxay

The road linking Viengthong district to Xaychamphone district in Borikhamxay province and on to the Lao-Vietnam border, has not been completed as scheduled due to changes in project design and the contractor's financial difficulties. Construction commenced on the 130km road in 2009 and was scheduled to finish this year but is now only 70 percent complete. The contractor claimed that due to changes in the project design a dramatic increase in the amount of work was required to complete the contract. Subsequently, the originally allocated funding of 785 billion kip has only resulted in 70 percent of the project being completed and the contractor will ask the government for extra funding of 400 billion kip to finish the project. The original construction of the road cut through mountains but the new design required extra earthworks from the contractor so the road inclines would not be very steep. In addition, the contractor claimed that the design specifications were also modified to increase the thickness and width of the road paving. As a consequence, this made the cost blow out.

Adapted from: Vientiane Times (Latest Update July 7, 2014)

Note by LR - Rode this road in December 2013 and at that time it looked like that the contractor had given up already as the only work being done was the construction of one of the bridges. This road links Viengthong on Rd 1D with Xaychamphone District and the border with Vietnam. Below are a few pictures of the road from my trip report: http://www.rideasia.net/motorcycle-forum/laos-ride-reports/4825-another-laos-trip.html

One of the new roads being constructed or rather hacked out of the mountains in Laos

The contractor really has problems with erosion and parts of the new road being constructed had disappeared

 

[Lone Rider]

Mekong Road construction set to begin

Construction of a road along the Mekong River from Hadxaifong district to Pakngum district in Vientiane is set to begin in February next year, a senior government official has said. The 30.4 km long road is expected to be completed in early 2018, Deputy Minister of Public Works and Transport Ms Vilaykham Phosalath told a press conference held on Wednesday at the National Assembly (NA). The US$37.09 million road will be financed by a grant and loan provided by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and a financial contribution from the Lao government. Of the funding, US$24 million was provided as a loan and US$12.5 million was given as a grant by the ADB, while the remaining US$ 590,000 was contributed by the Lao government. The government and ADB signed a financial agreement in 2012, according to Ms Vilaykham.

According to the deputy minister, the road comprises two sections. The first part, running from the Lao satellite station under-construction to the Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge in Hadxaifong district, will be unpaved road, 4 km in length and 4 metres wide. The second section from the Friendship Bridge to Houaymarkhiew area will be 26.4 km in length, seven metres wide and asphalt surfaced. Footpaths one metre wide will be built on both sides of the road bringing the total width to nine metres.

Source: Vientiane Times (Latest Update July 18, 2014)



For the section where this road to be upgraded stops up to Rd 13S at Pak Ngum see: Road 11 extended to the South-East

 

[Lone Rider]

Pakseuang-Phonesay road is 80 per cent upgraded

The upgrade of a road section (shown on the GPS maps as Rd 2504) starting at the Pakseuang T-junction on Rd 13 North and Phonsay in Phonsay District, Luang Prabang Province, has been confirmed 80 per cent upgraded. The 50-km road is being upgraded as a double-layer asphalt road by the Vonethabing Road and Bridge Construction Company. The upgrade cost is 197 billion kip, according to the Director of the Public Work and Transport of Luang Prabang Province Fasananh Thammavong. Commenced in 2012, the road upgrade project is expected to be completed in 2015, ahead of the meeting of the Phonsay District Party Cell, which is going to take place next year.

Source: :: KPL :: Lao News Agency

 

[KTMphil]

This was a real, fun, off-road route from Luang Prabang to Phonsavan, shame to see this.

Pakseuang-Phonesay road is 80 per cent upgraded

The upgrade of a road section (shown on the GPS maps as Rd 2504) starting at the Pakseuang T-junction on Rd 13 North and Phonsay in Phonsay District, Luang Prabang Province, has been confirmed 80 per cent upgraded. The 50-km road is being upgraded as a double-layer asphalt road by the Vonethabing Road and Bridge Construction Company. The upgrade cost is 197 billion kip, according to the Director of the Public Work and Transport of Luang Prabang Province Fasananh Thammavong. Commenced in 2012, the road upgrade project is expected to be completed in 2015, ahead of the meeting of the Phonsay District Party Cell, which is going to take place next year.

Source: :: KPL :: Lao News Agency

View attachment 29877

 

[Lone Rider]

This was a real, fun, off-road route from Luang Prabang to Phonsavan, shame to see this.

It is not to bad as only the first 50 km from Rd 13 up to Phonxay will be paved but the remainder from Phonxay to Phonsavan will still be unpaved.

During my travels in Laos I noticed that most roads connecting "district capitals" to the main paved roads are being upgraded and I assume that most of these roads will be paved some time in the near future.

 

[Lone Rider]

Road from capital to Sangthong district will be finished this month

Vientiane road users will be more comfortable traveling from the capital to the outer district of Sangthong once the asphalting of Road No.11 from Tadthong junction in Sikhottabong district to Sangthong district is completed this month, the head of the project has said. Ministry of Public Works and Transport representative and Head of the Road No.11 improvement project Mr Pasongsin Chaleurnsouk told Vientiane Times on Monday 82 kilometers of road would be asphalted. Of that, 56km was the stretch from Tadthong junction, Sikhottabong district to Namsang Bridge, Sangthong district. The remaining 26km is the part of Road No.11 running through Sangthong town itself.

The longer stretch (along the Mekong River) will be 10 meters wide while the road through the town will be seven meters wide. “We are now 97 percent complete with the asphalt pavement and we will finish all asphalt pavement within the month. After that we will finish all the decorations, including installing signs, kilometer markers and painting white lines on the road in July.” He said the project cost 1.392 billion Thai baht and was supported by Thailand's Neighboring Economic Development Agency (NEDA). NEDA provided 30 percent of the cost as an aid grant and the rest as a low-interest loan. Work on the project began in May 2011 and will be finished in July, Mr Pasongsin said. Sangthong district is located on the outskirts of the capital. It is due to officially graduate from its status as one of the country's poorest districts at the end of this month.

Adapted from: Log In, June 11. 2014

The upgrading of Rd 11 from the Sikhai junction in Sikhottabong district (Vietiane) to the Nam Sang Bridge in Sangthong district has been finished and was officially opened last week Friday 15 August. More info here: Vientiane Times

 

[Lone Rider]

Another dirt road gone - Rd 16A from Road 16 at Paksong to Ban Munhouamong also known as Ban Lak 52 at Road 1-I

While travelling from Attapeu/Sekong to Pakse I took Rd 16A which used to be a nice dirt toad with lots of waterfalls like the Xekatam Falls. The waterfalls are still there but the road is now mostly paved with only a few stretches left where they are still working on the road.

The road on the east side near Rd 1-I

The road on the west side near Paksong

A short stretch of the road (a few kilometers) they were still working on

Another few hundred meters to be finished

The 120 meter high Xekatam Falls right next to the road

Building of southern road link delayed

Construction of Road No.16A, connecting Pakxong district in Champassak province to Attapeu province and Vietnam, has progressed more slowly than planned, officials in charge have confirmed. Project manager Mr Phouvieng Sorsalaphoum attributed the delay to adverse weather conditions, notably heavy rainfall, but said the road would be completed in 2015.Work began on the 64-kilometre highway in May 2010 and the project was set for completion within 36 months, with the total cost amounting to US$45.6 million. Road No.16A is now 84.4 percent complete. It will have seven concrete bridges with a combined length of 237 metres. A 51.5km section passes through Champassak province while another 12.5km cuts through Attapeu province. It is surfaced with two layers of asphalt.

The road will provide a shortcut between Champassak and Attapeu provinces and passes through Bolaven plateau, a fertile region for agriculture in southern Laos. Prior to the construction of this road, people travelling between Champassak and Attapeu provinces needed to go through Xekong province. Mr Phouvieng said travel using Road No.16A cuts 51km off the route through Xekong province. Although the road is not yet finished, people are already using it to reduce travel time. But, Mr Phouvieng said, travel on the road is quite difficult at present due to the wet weather and landslides. The construction company is using tractors and other vehicles to clear away the rubble produced by landslides so that people can pass.

Source: Vientiane Times By Times Reporters - (Latest Update August 28, 2014)

 

[Lone Rider]

Road 1A - Bounneua-Lantoui road

The construction of national road No. 1 A in Phongsaly Province has been 40 per cent completed following over half-year of construction. The construction of the road section which connects Phongsaly's Bounneua and Ngot Ou Districts to the China's Lantoui International Border Checkpoint commenced at the end of November 2013 with a total investment of more than US$91 million. 'The implementation of the project is ahead of plan by an eight per cent despite almost two months of suspension, caused by heavy rainfall and landslide between July and August. The construction is expected to resume by the end of this month,' Deputy Project Manager, Mr Ankham Manachit told KPL News yesterday.



The Road No. 1A Bouneua-Lantoui with a total length of 141.7-km is designed to have a wider surface, 20 m., in the sections of two down-towns and the remaining section is being upgraded to be 7 m. wide. Around 60 per cent of the total length runs through the mountains, some 20 per cent pass via plain area and the remainder is semi-mountainous area. The project is carried out by the Guangdong No. 3 Water Conservancy and Hydroelectric Engineering Board of China. The construction work is expected to be completed within 54 months.

:: KPL :: Lao News Agency

 

[Lone Rider]

Upgrading Road 4501 from Hinheup on Road 13 North to Ban Vang on Road 11 on the Mekong via Feuang and Meun District

The Heuangsy Bridge Construction Company is rebuilding the road at a cost of more than US$168 million in a bid to create a viable transport link with roads in other Asean countries. “We began work in March in Meuangfeuang district and have so far done almost 1 percent of the job,” company President Mr Sisavat Vongvilay told Vientiane Times on Tuesday. The company will invest the necessary capital and the government will repay them within a period of 10 years beginning in 2016. The 132 kilometre road runs from Hinheup district to Xanakham district through the two districts of Meuangfeuang and Meun. The new highway will be paved with two layers of asphalt and will have 16 concrete bridges. The road will run to the Thai border and the checkpoint in Vang village will be upgraded to an international crossing in the future.

Mr Sisavat said that in the urban centres of Hinheup, Meuangfeuang and Meun districts the road will be widened to 14 metres, but in the centre of Xanakham district it will be widened to 22 metres because at this point it will link to roads from other Asean countries. Goods trucks from the north of Laos and trucks coming from China will be able to use the road to transport goods to Thailand. It will also help to reduce congestion on Road No. 13 North. The road connects with National Highway No. 11 along the Mekong River in the west and links with Road No. 13 North in Hinheup district. Currently, the road is seriously degraded and is full of potholes. In addition, trucks cannot use this route as the existing metal bridges are too old and weight limits are imposed.

By Khonesavanh Latsaphao
Extracted from: Vientiane Times

View attachment 18303

Note by LR. The local border crossing from Ban Vang in Laos to Ban Kok Phai in Thailand was supposed to have become International a few years ago. It looks like that, once Rd 4501 is paved, this now might happen in 2016.

Was there a few days ago and sad/happy to say that the contractor appears to have stopped work as the construction camp was full of rusting equipment. The road from Hin Heup to Muang Fueang is now completely paved but from Muang Fueang to the south to Ban Vang on the Mekong is still unpaved as least the part which I checked near Muang Fueang.

 

[Lone Rider]

The upgrading of Rd 11 from the Sikhai junction in Sikhottabong district (Vietiane) to the Nam Sang Bridge in Sangthong district has been finished and was officially opened last week Friday 15 August. More info here: Vientiane Times

Ministry undertaking survey and design on Road No. 11

Ministry of Public Works and Transport will commence survey and design work to rebuild sections of Road No. 11 from the Namsang Bridge in Sangthong district, Vientiane to the Nasak-Khokkhaodor Mekong Bridge in Xanakham district in Vientiane province (length about 151 Km.). An official from the ministry Mr Prasongsinh Chaleunsouk told Vientiane Times on Wednesday that Thailand's Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA) has answered a request letter early this month to assist in consultancy for surveying and design. It is expected the survey and design work will complete in one year. Then the tender process for the construction will begin. NEDA will only assist with the consultancy for Laos but the funds for rebuilding the construction have not yet been identified by the government,” he pointed out. The sections of the road from Sangthong district, Vientiane to Xanakham district in Vientiane are currently narrow asphalt or unsealed and in poor condition.

By Khonesavanh Latsaphao (Latest Update October 9, 2014)

Adapted from: Vientiane Times

 

[Lone Rider]

UPDATE ON THE UPGRADING OF ROAD 1E FROM LAK XAO (RD 8) TO NAKAI (NAM THEUN 2 HYDROPOWER PROJECT)

Rain has not affected the upgrade of National Road 1E between Borikhamxay province's Khamkeuth district and Nakai district in Khammuan province. Project Head, Mr Vongdeuan Chanthavongsa, said the work is 63 percent complete and is continuing on schedule. The government has invested more than 300 billion kip to pave and widen the 78km road to help improve transportation in the region. Mr Vongdeuan said travel would remain difficult along the road until the project was finished, especially during the rainy season. He said some stretches of the road had been hit by landslides, but none had been serious enough to affect construction. However unexploded ordnance clearance along the road is expected to cause some delays to the work, now due to be complete in 2015.

The new road will be 7m wide in non-residential areas, 8m wide through villages and will span between 9m and 11m in areas home to village development groups.

Initial surfacing work was due to begin in December 2011 but was delayed while the contractor acquired the necessary construction equipment. The project is divided into two sections and will pass through the Nam Theun 2 dam site. The first section, 40km in length, starts in the centre of Khamkeuth district and finishes at Nakai district. An agreement for the first section was signed in December 2011 by Borikhamxay Deputy Governor, Mr Khambounnat Xayyamon, and Phetsamone Construction Company Director, Ms Phetsamone Sengsavang. The remaining 38km of road, to be built by Phonesack Group, will run from Nakai district to the Nian River along the border of Khamkeuth district. Khammuan Deputy Governor, Mr Somchay Phetsynuan, and a Phonesack Group representative, Mr Bounphang Symoukda, also signed an agreement for the project in 2011.

Delays expected in national road 1E rollout

Construction of national road No. 1E linking Borikhamxay province to Khammuan province has seen delays due to financial difficulties faced by contractors, project managers have confirmed. The road will connect Road No.8 and Road No.12 on the eastern part of Laos, creating more favourable conditions and opportunity for Lao exporters to access to different seaports in Thailand and Vietnam. Linking Khamkeuth district in Borikhamxay province and Khammuan province's Nakai and Nhommalath districts, the road is expected to be completed early next year, about 4-5 months behind schedule.

With a total construction cost amounting to more than 321 billion kip, road No. 1E will be 78km long with a width of between 9m and 11m going down to 7m in mountain passes. Of the total road length, 38km is located in Borikhamxay province, project manager for the province Mr Vongdeuan Chanthavongsa confirmed. Mr Vongdeuan said the project delay in the Borikhamxay section was triggered by three main issues including financial difficulties of involved firms, alterations to project design and dealing with unexploded ordnance (UXO).

In Borikhamxay province, the project construction was granted to Phetsamone Road and Bridge Construction Company and Phonesak Construction Company. The project in Borikhamxay province is about 80 percent complete and is expected to be finished in March 2015, about 4-5 months behind schedule. Meanwhile in Khammuan province, the project is also about 80 percent complete and is expected to be finished a month later. The 80-billion-kip Khammuan section was scheduled to be completed in December 2013, but was also delayed due to financial difficulties.

The road No. 1E plays a significant role in the national vision to see Laos transformed from land-locked to land-linked, connecting provinces in the eastern part of the country to Vietnam. Currently Laos has a road network with a total length of over 45,800km, an increase of 4.5 percent annually. Of these, sealed roadways account for 7,800km.

Source: Vientiane Times

Note LR - The news sounds good but I did see the road with my own eyes today and I doubt that the road will be ready as speculated by the Vientiane Times.

It looks quite OK in Lak Xao



Just outside Lak Xao quite a bit still needs to be done including re-grading the road while in the mountains there are stretches of the road where almost nothing has been done

 

[Lone Rider]

Delays expected in national road 1E rollout

Construction of national road No. 1E linking Borikhamxay province to Khammuan province has seen delays due to financial difficulties faced by contractors, project managers have confirmed. The road will connect Road No.8 and Road No.12 on the eastern part of Laos, creating more favourable conditions and opportunity for Lao exporters to access to different seaports in Thailand and Vietnam. Linking Khamkeuth district in Borikhamxay province and Khammuan province's Nakai and Nhommalath districts, the road is expected to be completed early next year, about 4-5 months behind schedule.

With a total construction cost amounting to more than 321 billion kip, road No. 1E will be 78km long with a width of between 9m and 11m going down to 7m in mountain passes. Of the total road length, 38km is located in Borikhamxay province, project manager for the province Mr Vongdeuan Chanthavongsa confirmed. Mr Vongdeuan said the project delay in the Borikhamxay section was triggered by three main issues including financial difficulties of involved firms, alterations to project design and dealing with unexploded ordnance (UXO).

In Borikhamxay province, the project construction was granted to Phetsamone Road and Bridge Construction Company and Phonesak Construction Company. The project in Borikhamxay province is about 80 percent complete and is expected to be finished in March 2015, about 4-5 months behind schedule. Meanwhile in Khammuan province, the project is also about 80 percent complete and is expected to be finished a month later. The 80-billion-kip Khammuan section was scheduled to be completed in December 2013, but was also delayed due to financial difficulties.

The road No. 1E plays a significant role in the national vision to see Laos transformed from land-locked to land-linked, connecting provinces in the eastern part of the country to Vietnam. Currently Laos has a road network with a total length of over 45,800km, an increase of 4.5 percent annually. Of these, sealed roadways account for 7,800km.

Source: Vientiane Times

Note LR - The news sounds good but I did see the road with my own eyes today and I doubt that the road will be ready as speculated by the Vientiane Times.
View attachment 31626
It looks quite OK in Lak Xao

View attachment 31627

Just outside Lak Xao quite a bit still needs to be done including re-grading the road while in the mountains there are stretches of the road where almost nothing has been done

During my recent trip to Laos on my way from Lak Xao to Thakheak I took road 1E and it looks like that the report in the Vientiane Times is a tad optimistic about the completion date of the northern part of this road.

The first 23 km. or so from Lak Xao to the south the road has been worked on and parts with some re-grading might be ready for pavement but from the junction to the southwest to the Nakai Nam Theun 2 Dam the next 7 km is still as it was before and nothing has been done yet.

However from there (about 30 km. from Lak Xao to the junction with Rd 12 at Gnommalath) the remaining 60 km. of the road has been paved and is more or less ready and I found it a joy to ride.

 

[Lone Rider]

Motorway development being considered for Laos

The Ministry of Public Works and Transport, in cooperation with the World Bank, is currently conducting a survey for the development of motorways, with the results of the survey to be finalised early next year. Office head of the ministry Dr Santisouk Simmalavong told Vientiane Times on Friday that his ministry reported the possibility of motorway development to the government last month despite the incompletion of the survey. “Road No.13 will be developed into a toll motorway over a total len gth of 300 km,” he said, saying t hat the first section will begin from the capital city, through Phonhong district to Vangvieng district in Vientiane province. The second section will run from Vientiane through Pakngum district to Borikhamxay province. Some sections of the toll motorway will be widened to four lanes to respond to the rising number of vehicles.

Critics commented that they support the construction of a toll motorway to address traffic congestion but the motorway needs to ensure that alternative roads are available for motorists, particularly the poor who are not in a hurry or those who don't want to pay for motorways. As the project is still under survey, it was unclear how much the motorway toll will be or whether construction should be entirely funded by private investors or whether the government should contribute funds as well. Dr Santisouk said a lesson learned from Vietnam is that the country levies tolls every 70km or so. Once the survey is complete, the ministry will report the results to the government before seeking investors who are interested in the project development.

Source: Vientiane Times

New design paves way for rebuilding of Road 13

The long awaited design of two- and four-lane sections of the country's main arterial routes - Road 13 North and Road 13 South - is nearly complete. An official from the Department of Planning and Cooperation at the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, who did not wish to be named, told Vientiane Times on Friday the design will be finished this year. The tender process will be opened early next year after the designs have been assessed. “Whether or not a toll will be charged for the use of these roads is not yet known. This issue will be discussed at a later date,” the official said.

Parts of Road 13 North and Road 13 South need to be widened into two- and four-lane highways to cater for the large increase in traffic volume. The project, which isn't expected to be completed until at least 2017, aims to boost road capacity, ease serious traffic problems and facilitate ease of movement for commercial and non-commercial vehicles.

Road 13 North will be rebuilt from Sikeuth junction in Vientiane to the bus station in Vangvieng district, Vientiane province, over a distance of 142 kilometres. A 57km stretch of road from the Sikeuth junction to Phonghong district in Vientiane province will be turned into a four-lane highway, followed by an 85km two-lane stretch from there to Vangvieng district. This whole section will be surfaced with asphalt.

On Road 13 South, the starting point has been identified as the Dongdok intersection in Vientiane with redevelopment all the way to Sivilay village in Borikhamxay province, a total length of 141km. The first 48km from Dongdok to Phao village will be rebuilt as a four-lane highway with the remaining 93km from Phao village to the provincial capital of Borikhamxay in Pakxon district upgraded to two lanes.

Source: Vientiane Times (Latest Update November 17, 2014)

 

[Lone Rider]

Road construction commences in Xaysomboun Province

Authorities of Xaysomboun province have reached agreement with three construction companies on Monday in relation to three new asphalt roads from Anouvong town, the new provincial capital. According to a press release Work on the construction of the three separate roads is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2015.

A 50km long road (Road 5) from Anouvong district to Rd 1D in Thathom district in Xaysomboun province will be carried out by Thavisok Costruction Development Company Limited, worth over 356.8 billion kip.

The second road is 30km long and worth more than 263 billion kip. It runs from Phouhuaxang village to Aow Tai village in Anouvong district and will be built by Lackxay Road and Bridge Construction Company Limited.

The third road, worth around 304 billion kip, is 40km long and runs from Nam Gnone Bridge in Anouvong to Longcheng village in Longcheng district, with works to be undertaken by Chanyathilath Bridge, House, Road and Irrigation Construction Company Limted.

Adapted from: Vientiane Times

View attachment 26276

Some more info on the road building activities in the Xaysombou province: Xaysomboun builds links to other provinces

Xaysomboun province plans to become a transport hub, linking to surrounding provinces and the national capital by 2020, and will build its capital city in the manner of a moon surrounded by stars (four districts will surround the capital). The province's plans were revealed by the Governor, Dr Sombath Yialiher, during a meeting last month to review the progress of the Party's Sam Sang directive and the development of patriotic spirit in the province.

“We will put all our efforts into achieving this plan by building roads to link to the other five provinces. We will also build up Anouvong district as the provincial capital and improve other districts to create our moon surrounded by stars,” Dr Sombath said. The proposed linkages would facilitate movement between Xaysomboun and Vientiane, and the provinces of Vientiane, Xieng Khuang, Luang Prabang and Borikhamxay. Xaysomboun province has committed to ensuring that by the end of 2015 all districts and villages will have proper road access year round, he added.

Source: Vientiane Times January 02, 2015

 

[mactbkk]

Do hope the budget for the already fairly decent road east of Anouvong includes funds for a vehicle capable bridge where it crosses the river at Tha Vieng.

Mac

 

[Lone Rider]

An update - took the bypass the last time I was in Luang Prabang and while it is still far from ready, the bypass on the south-side can be used although the part in Ban Phonsa-at still needs to be upgraded. The bridge over the Nam Khan is also not yet ready. Below is a screenshot of the bypass on the south-side of the Nam Khan. If you come from the south, the bypass is a good option as you will miss all the trucks and other traffic coming from Luang Prabang. Below a picture of the location of the bypass (which is different from what I first assumed) and the bypass road.

View attachment 19968

View attachment 19969

From KPL News 8 January 2015 - Nam Khan bridge to open for public use soon

The 3rd Nam Khan bridge located at Phanom village will be opened at the end of this month. The bridge is 10 meters wide, 165 meter long and strong enough to support trucks weighing up to 80 tons. The road and bridge were designed to be a detour for trucks and to prevent traffic jams in Luang Prabang. The remaining work includes installing streetlights along the toad and paving the ends of the bridge with asphalt. The bypass road is 18.4 km. in length and construction started in June 2011. The cost of the bridge was 22.9 million USD or about 183 billion Kip.


Pictures from March 2014 when the bridge was still under construction:

 

[Lone Rider]

Thoulakhom road upgrade motoring along

Upgrade of the 46km road from Nanokkhoum village in Thoulakhom district, Vientiane province, to Naxay village in Pakngum district, Vientiane, is almost 40 percent complete despite difficulties encountered last wet season. When complete, the road will allow motorists travelling between the northern and southern provinces to completely bypass Vientiane and its increasing congestion. President of Phinthong Company, Mr Somphan Panyathilath, told Vientiane Times on Friday they were continuing with construction and expected the road to be finished over the course of the next two years. The project began in April 2013 and should be finished in April 2017. The government is paying the 373 billion kip construction cost. The road will have two layers of asphalt and will be widened to nine metres.

Completion of the road will also open up the area to visitors as there are a number of scenic attractions nearby, including Tad Hin Pafa, Phou Khao Khouy and Tay Va Da (Thevada) waterfalls. Visitor spending is expected to boost the incomes of local people and improve their living conditions.

Source Vientiane Times (Latest Update February 2, 2015)

Note LR: The road the Vientiane Times is referring to is Rd 0120 as shown on the GPS map (green line)



The latest news (January 2016) is that the road is 60% complete (Source: Vientiane Times 15 January 2016)

 

[bsacbob]

Myanmar Laos Friendship Bridge

The bridge and infrastructure West of Xiengkok is well underway and the bridge looks 70% complete, however the approaching roads from Muang Sing are still in a pretty miserable state. Hard to figure why such a huge investment by the chinese in this area, on the Myanmar side it was hard to see any roadworks underway.

 

[KTMphil]

Road No 18A still unfinished

Construction of Road No. 18A linking the two provinces of Champassak and Attapeu in the southern part of the country is not yet complete even though three years have elapsed since the work began. The work started in 2012 but the state of this main road is not yet ideal because of the many potholes on the gravel road. Director of the provincial Department of Public Works and Transport Mr Phetmixay Khampakdy told Vientiane Times on Wednesday that now the condition of the road surface has been improved so it is available for use. The surface of the gravel road thoroughfare has been worked on in preparation for covering with asphalt but that will not be completed until 2017.

Construction of the road was delayed to early 2015 as the Sinolao Aluminum Corporation Limited, which is providing the funds for the construction, had a financial problem. The company has invested more than 600 billion kip (US$76 million) to build the road from Pathoumphon district in Champassak province to Attapeu province. The company is funding the construction of the 106km road as part of its concession agreement for the excavation of bauxite in Pakxong district, Champassak province, and the construction of an aluminium processing plant in Attapeu province. The road will be nine metres wide and will have a surface that can support trucks weighing up to 11 tonnes.

By Khonesavanh Latsaphao - (Latest Update June 25, 2015) - Source: Vientiane Times




Thanks LR for the heads up

 

[Lone Rider]

Vientiane Times reports that the repairs of the Kasy to Mueang Nan road have been finished and that there are no longer closures of the road:

Northern travel back to normal after Kasi-Nan road upgrade

Travel along the Kasi to Nan road leading to Luang Prabang and Xayaboury provinces is now trouble-free after some sections were closed for three months for repairs. The construction company has now almost finished the repair of the sections that were washed out in the rainy season last year, with only 100 metres still to be repaved. Head of the Public Works and Transport Office in Kasi district, Vientiane province, Mr Phan Namvong told Vientiane Times on Friday this section will be asphalted next year, after this year's rainy season.

Well, things go slow in Laos and the Kasy to Nan road which was opened for traffic late 2013 and repaired in 2014, last week (one and half years after it was opened for traffic) it was officially handed over by the contractor to the Ministry of Defense which owns the road. The Ministry of Defense will hand over the road to the Ministry of Public Works and Transport for management of the road.

(KPL) A 68-km stretch of road running between National Roads No. 4 and No. 13 North was handed over from the contractor to the Ministry of National Defense last week. The road stretch lies between the districts of Kasi in Vientiane Province and Nan of Luang Prabang Province. The handover took place between the Deputy Director of the Integrated Triangle Development Company, Mr Oudone Thipvisay, and the Deputy Minister of National Defence Maj. Gen. Souvone Leuangbounmy, in the presence of relevant officials from the Ministry of Public Works and Transport and local authorities.

The road upgrade project, which cost over US$28 million, was a priority project of the government, according to Mr Oudone. Major General Souvone urged relevant officials and local people to take part in maintaining and managing the road to ensure its efficient use. "This road will be handed over to the Ministry of Public Works and Transport for management," added Maj. Gen. Souvone.

Source: KPL News July 17, 2015 - http://kpl.gov.la/En/Detail.aspx?id=4874

 

[Lone Rider]

Road No. 4B to have asphalt surface

National Road No. 4B, which links the two provinces of Xayaboury and Luang Prabang and is currently unpaved, will be surfaced with a double layer of asphalt thanks to a loan from Thailand. The government has borrowed more than 766 million baht (over 177 billion kip) from Thailand's Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA) to upgrade the 113 kilometre road. An official from the Xayaboury provincial Public Works and Transport Department, who ask not to be named, told Vientiane Times on Monday an agreement to upgrade the road was signed in Xayaboury province on August 13.

The dirt road runs from Xayaboury's Hongsa district to Luang Prabang's Chomphet district but is not widely used because of the problems it causes motorists. As well as having a rough surface, the road passes through mountainous terrain. “In the future many people will choose to travel this way between Hongsa and Chomphet districts because it will take less time,” the official said.

Source: Vientiane Times: Road 4B from Hongsa to Chomphet/Luang Prabang to be paved

Additional info on a new bridge from Chomphet to Luang Prabang can be found here: Mekong Bridge from Luang Prabang District to Chomphet District

 

[bsacbob]

Very sad, well i guess it would only be a matter of time before this fun trail disappeared as the march of the power poles followed this route a few years back. Be sure to put it on your to do list this dry season before its gone for good.

 

[Lone Rider]

Checked it out and it is indeed a bypass road around Oudomxay city. It starts near the junction of Rd 13N and road 2W, passes Oudomxay on the south side and links with Rd 13N just past Ban Lak 4 on the west side of Oudomxay city. The road is still far from complete and it will take at least another year if not more to be completed as it seems that some of the local people and a few Chinese refuse to give up their land and homes.

The road is supposed to cut through this rubber plantation

and these buildings need to go

and once they have solved all these pesky problems, the bypass will look like this

Just an update on the new bypass road: In March of this year the contractor had more or less finished all the earthwork except for all the drainage systems. However, the road still needed to be paved, some bridges to be finished, etc. but the new road signs were put in already so I guess that by this time the bypass might be finished.

The location of the new Oudomxai bypass

The new road signs on the east side of Oudomxay at the Oudomxai-Pakbeng-Pakmong junction

 

[Lone Rider]

A few more updates on road construction activities in Laos

Rd 4501 from Hinheup to Mueang Feuang and south to Ban Vang on the Mekong (opposite Ban Khok Pai in Thailand).

Hinheup-Xanakham road works on track
A 132-km road being built to link Hinheup district with Feuang and Xanakham districts in Vientiane province will be surfaced with asphalt after the rainy season.
Source: Vientiane Times 25 June 2015

See also: Rd. 4501

Rd 4502 from Kasy (Phonbaeng/Xang on Rd 13N) to Xanakham

Kasy-Maed (Met/Mad) road link construction on track
The company rebuilding the road linking Kasy and Maed districts in Vientiane province has reported that the project is progressing well and work is now about 25 percent complete.

Source: Vientiane Times 30 June 2015

 

[Lone Rider]

Another tidbit of road improvement in Laos:

Road 3909 which starts from Rd. 1D at Ban Lathouang (Coordinates N19.39482 E103.18658 also known as the turnoff to Jar site 2 and 3) up to Phaxai which is close to Jar Site 3 or Hai Hin Lat Khai is now all paved.

 

[Lone Rider]

Road 1G (Rd 23) to be upgraded and Paved

The construction of 64-km National Road No 1 G South, stretching from Savannakhet border to Nadonekhouang Village, Saravane Province, is planned to be renovated soon.

The project worth a total of 548.6 billion kip, partly financed with a Government contribution approved by the National Assembly in 2012-2013. According to the plan, this road will give access to seven villages of Saravane district and nine villages of Toumlan district, which are scheduled to be paved by asphalt. The renovation work is expected to be completed by next 48 months.

The construction of Road No 1 G is a national priority project, a strategic channel linking the north to the south. This road aims to serve the national defense and security, accessing to remote areas and connecting localities and districts with the central part and neighboring countries. Upon completion this road will spur the growth of economy, society, trade and investment in industry, creating jobs and upgrade living condition of the locals, favoring agriculture and tourism.

The contract for No 1 G road renovation was signed by Saravane Governor Khamboun Douangpanya and President of Douangchaleun Construction Company Group, Mr. Khamphai Silasha in Vientiane, on May 18. Witnesses of the event were the LT Gen. Duangchay Phicith, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense, Mr. Sommath Pholsena, Minister of Public Works and Transport and various officials concerned.

Source: :: KPL :: Lao News Agency


Note by LR: The road improvement starts from Rd 15 and goes north up to the provincial border between Saravane and Savannakhet - this would leave the last 20 km. which is very bad (very difficult for cars as well as bikes) from the provincial border to the Xe Banghiang river in its present state.

View attachment 17398

National Road No. 1G falls behind schedule



Construction of the almost 54km National Road No. 1G South, stretching from Phin district in Savannakhet province to Toumlan district in Saravan province, is unlikely to be completed on time. The original contract signed between provincial authorities and Duangchaleun Construction Company Group back in March 2013, stated the road was to take 4 years to complete but work is now running behind schedule.

According to the plan, the road would give paved asphalt access to seven villages of Saravan district and nine villages of Toumlan district. Construction of Road No.1G is a national priority project, seen as a strategic link from north to south and will include10 concrete bridges. The road will enable faster and more efficient transport of goods and people between the two districts and help attract foreign investors to the region.

Source: Vientiane Times, 21 September 2015

Note LR: Not sure if this is the same stretch of road mentioned in the quoted article from May 2013 (different length of road and different part of the road to be upgraded). Reason for the discrepancy might be that the newspapers in Laos often have difficulties in providing accurate information but, as the same road construction company is involved I assume now that this is the part of road 1G running from the Xe Banghiang river, where they are building a bridge to replace the ferry, to Toumlarn.

It looks like that the improved part of the road is part of the trip Bob and Phil did earlier this year (see: Laos-Saravan-Phin-bombed-bridges.html) and, when looking at the pictures of the status/condition of the road, it might take quite a bit longer to improve the road than the 4 years which was agreed upon in the original contract