Mekong Transport and Flood Protection Project

closed

The Mekong Transport and Flood Protection Project will complete the upgrading of Highway 1, Vietnam's transportation backbone, and increase the efficiency of the surface transportation system in the Mekong Delta. The development objectives are to stimulate the commercial use of an improved transportation network, improve access to rural areas by connecting them to the main trade and movement corridors, and ensure permanent access to regular flood-prone areas. The project has three main components: 1) upgrading segments of Highway 1 in the Mekong Delta, including rehabilitating or replacing culverts and bridges to accommodate 30-ton gross weight vehicles; 2) ugrading national and provincial roads in the extended Mekong Delta transport system covering 18 provinces; and 3) protecting 17 flood-prone sections of Highway 1 in the central coastal area. The fourth component is an institutional one and provides technical assistance to the Transport Ministry to strengthen the long-term strategy and planning function, develop a database connected to various modal agencies, improve organizational and human resources policies, and provide information technology to support these actions. This component also supports technical assistance to implement new road and bridge standards, improves road safety, and enforces axle load regulations. Speicla studies will be funded to finalize the preparation of the project.