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Road No 1 officially opened
Road No 1, the major link through Vientiane from Wattay International Airport to the Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge , was officially opened yesterday at a ceremony held at King Fa-ngum Park.
Attending the ceremony were Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh, Minister of Public Works and Transport Sommad Pholsena, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan Mr Osamu Uno, Acting Mayor of Vientiane Bounchanh Sinthavong, Japanese Ambassador to Laos Massaki Miyashita, and guests from Laos and Japan.
The 29 kilometre reconstruction project was financed by the Japanese government at more than 366 billion kip (about 4.645 billion yen).
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan Mr Osamu Uno made a speech to hand over the road to the Lao government. He said that Japan will increase its assistance to Laos . Japan has been a major donor to Laos since 1991.
According to a press release from the Japanese embassy to Laos , the gradual deterioration of road surfaces in the capital and poor drainage systems had made travel difficult, necessitating improvements to alleviate the situation for local residents. This resulted in the Lao government asking Japan for assistance to remedy the situation, both for local people and for international travellers.
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He said that the improvement of Road No 1 with Japanese assistance will significantly improve transportation and communications in Vientiane , and enable Laos to become a transit country in the future and provide greater opportunities for the people in th e sub-region to travel and trade.
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The road was significant, not only for Vientiane , but was also a part of Lao national road number 13 and sub-regional routes connecting Asean highway number AH12. The improvement of this road would enable Vientiane to become a city that was clean and attractive. It would assist the Lao PDR to become a transit country in the future and provide an opportunity for people in the sub-region to communicate, trade and visit each other.
The minister said that this improved road was a great present from the Japanese government and people to the Lao government and Lao people.
Mr Sommad confirmed that “We will do our best to make the best possible use of the road and make sure it is maintained for the benefit of the people and country, especially those living in Vientiane .
In accepting the road from the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Acting Mayor of Vientiane Bounchanh Sinthavong said that the new road formed the heart of Vientiane , linking Wattay International Airport and the International Friendship Bridge . It would carry a high volume of traffic and connect to the international border, making it of crucial importance for the capital.
During the construction of the road over the past two years, workers encountered problems, especially in the rainy season. The underground water level in some areas was extremely high, especially at Chinaimo, which necessitated a change in the footpath design, said Project Coordinator Dedsongkham Thammavong.
He added that it was also necessary to make changes for the maintenance and removal of public utilities including water pipes, power poles and lines, and communication cabling infrastructure.
Slow progress in underground archaeological exploration was another setback for the construction process, Mr Dedsongkham said.
By Vientiane Times
(Latest Update December 11, 2007)
http://www.vientianetimes.org.la/FreeContent/FreeContent_R1.htm
Vientiane to develop That Luang esplanade
Vientiane authorities plan to develop That Luang esplanade into one of the largest recreational parks in Laos by the end of 2009.
Vientiane Public Works and Transport Department Director, Mr Thongdam Xayphakatsa, yesterday said the Vietnamese government had agreed to provide US$5 million for the project.
“We have funding from Vietnam and our government and we are now setting up working plans,” he told Vientiane Times on Monday.
According to officials, there are four main aspects of the project. The first is to remove the unknown soldier monument from its current place in front of the Lao People's Army Museum and build a new one in front of the Lao National Assembly.
The second component is to build Xaysetthathirath Park to commemorate King Xaysetthathirath who moved the capital of Laos from Luang Prabang to Vientiane in 1560. Officials said the park would not include a statue of King Xaysetthathirath.
The third part of the project is to pave That Luang esplanade with concrete, and the fourth part is to relocate hundreds of residents living behind That Luang stupa. Vientiane authorities have agreed to compensate home owners located within 60 metres of the back of the stupa.
Mr Thongdam said residents in the area were happy to move so that development of the park could go ahead. He confirmed authorities had provided reasonable compensation to residents who will be relocated. Officials say some residents will be given new land in the city suburbs.
A department official said the relocation was part of efforts to protect the most significant stupa in the country. He said there was a lot of vehicle traffic in the area and this had damaged the stupa.
“Traffic causes vibrations which has led to the formation of cracks in the stupa,” said the official, who asked not to be named.
The authorities installed a fence to prevent large vehicles from driving in the area, but officials say drivers ignored the rule.
When the That Luang area is expanded, officials believe authorities would be able to stop vehicles from driving around the stupa.
The plan to develop That Luang into a recreation park began several years ago, but the government did not have sufficient funding to put the project into practice.
Mr Thongdam said the government was currently calculating construction costs.
This project is one of 21 projects, which are scheduled for completion by 2009. The new park will be another tourist attraction to mark the 450 th anniversary of the capital's transfer from Luang Prabang to Vientiane .
By Ekaphone Phouthonesy
(Latest Update May 13, 2008)
http://www.vientianetimes.org.la/FreeContent/FreeContent_vientaine.htm
Vientiane to have new highway
(KPL) The government has given green light to Vientiane capital to construct a new road links Dongdok intersection to the friendship bridge (Dongposy area), Hadsaifong district.
More than 50 households who are affected by the new road construction project, in Ban Nakhae, Ban Sapangmeuk and Ban Sangkhou will be resettled.
So the Vientiane Capital convened a meeting on 15 May, between state organisation and a three-village authority and villagers of three villages.
Attending the meeting were Deputy Vientiane Mayor Mr Bounchanh Sinlavong, Head of Vientiane Land Administration Authority Somphone Silaphet and other District chiefs of Saysettha and Hadsaifong.
During the meeting, the participants exchanged views and explained why the new road would be built and how is necessary for socio-economic development plan. This road would cope with the increasing vehicle is likely to increase nowadays and reduce traffic jams in Vientiane Capital, the meeting pointed out.
This road would be 20.9 km long with 150m wide and six lanes, which the construction work has already started mid this month that is expected to be completed in June 2010. This would be named 450 years road after completing.
Deputy Vientiane Mayor Bounchanh called on the authorities and locals should cooperate in the construction and understand the guideline of Government and Party as well as Vientiane capital.
He added that this highway would have access to the Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge and save more time.
He promised that all people who affected from the road construction would compensate, according to the law after the committee concerned completing data collection.
http://www.kplnet.net/english/news/edn6.htm
http://www.vientianetimes.org.la/FreeContent/FreeContent_vientaine.htm
Contract signed for Mekong embankment
Construction of an embankment to prevent erosion along the Mekong riverbank in Vientiane from Nonkeo village in Sikhottabong district to the Australian Embassy Recreational Club in Sisattanak district is on track for completion in 2013.
Last week the Vientiane Public Works and Transport Department signed a contract for the Mekong River Integrated Management project with Nam Won Engineering from the Republic of Korea .
The signing ceremony was attended by Vientiane Mayor Dr Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune, Minister of Public Works and Transport Sommath Pholsena, Head of Vientiane Public Works and Transport Dr Thongdam Xayphakatsa, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Laos Park Jae Hyeon, and Vice President of Nam Won Engineering Hong Jung Pyo.
“Riverbank protection is one of 21 projects Vientiane authorities are undertaking in preparation for the 450th anniversary celebrations in 2010 of the transfer of the capital from Luang Prabang to Vientiane ,” said Dr Thongdam at the signing ceremony.
The project is funded by a loan from the Republic of Korea 's Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) with an annual interest rate of 0.5 percent over a period of 30 years.
The loan amount is more than 300 billion kip (about US$37 million) and the Lao government will contribute an additional 100 billion kip (about US$11 million).
The total cost of the project is 400 billion kip (US$49 million).
Project activities include the building of a 12.2km flood control embankment and a road alongside the Mekong River , as well as the construction of a riverside park and landscaping, said Dr Thongdam.
The Ministry of Public Works and Transport is the executing agency, with work to be carried out by the Vientiane Public Works and Transport Department.
In March 2006, the Korea Overseas International Cooperation Agency provided more than 6 billion kip (US$800,000) to the Lao government for a feasibility study of the project.
The study was completed in August last year and in October the Lao government approved the project and submitted documents to EDCF to request funding for the execution of the project.
On February 22 this year the Department of Inland Water Transport and the Nam Won company of the Republic of Korea signed a draft contract for consulting services.
On March 28, the governments of Laos and the Republic of Korea signed a loan agreement.
“We have taken on an important role in the implementation of the project, which will be financed by the EDCF from now until 2013,” Mr Hong Jung Pyo said.
“I strongly believe the people of Vientiane will be protected from flooding after the successful completion of this project. In addition it will create a good precedent for management models in the Greater Mekong Sub-region countries,” he added.
Mr Hong Jung Pyo also expressed confidence the project would promote close cooperation and friendship between the Republic of Korea and Laos .
Nam Won Engineering will execute the project, devoting its technological resources and using experience gained from similar projects in the Republic of Korea , Laos and Cambodia . The company would also make use of information obtained from a feasibility study it had conducted on the Red River in Hanoi , Vietnam , Mr Hong Jung Pyo said.
By Meuangkham Noradeth
(Latest Update May 19, 2008)
http://www.vientianetimes.org.la/FreeContent/FreeContent_contract%20sig.htm
Govt promises fair compensation in city by-pass project
The government will fairly compensate residents for the loss of their land and houses when they vacate their homes to make way for a 20km city by-pass, according to the Vientiane Land Management Office Head.
Mr Sounthon Silaphet said on Friday the construction of the by-pass was one of many projects proposed under Vientiane 's socio-economic development plan.
At one end the road will connect with Dongdok Road at Road No 13 south and at the other end in Dongphosy village it will link with the Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge .
“We will provide compensation in accordance with the land law and through a land committee, instead of individuals making decisions,” Mr Sounthon told 74 family representatives from Dongphonhae and Thanaleng villages in Hadxaifong district, in a meeting to explain the situation to local residents.
Hadxaifong district Deputy Governor Khanthaly Phanyvong also attended the meeting.
“The road will be built to accommodate trucks carrying goods from Thailand to Laos and in the opposite direction, to keep them out of the city centre,” Mr Sounthon said.
In addition to the two villages in Hadxaifong district, the 10 villages of Xokyai, Xoknoi, Phonthong, Nabien, Dongyai, Dongkang, Nahai, Haykham, Nakhuaykang and Nakuaytay in Xaysettha district will also be affected.
The project will cost about US$46 million, including payment of compensation to land owners.
Mr Inthava Xayapanya, whose two 16-rai plots in Dongphonhae village will be affected, said he agreed with the government's development plan but said compensation should be fair. One rai measures 40 metres by 40 metres.
Surveys will begin next month to prepare for construction of the six-lane highway.
It is estimated the project will take two years. It is scheduled for completion in June 2010, in time for the 450 th anniversary of the transfer of the capital of Laos from Luang Prabang to Vientiane .
The road will be named after this special anniversary and will be known as the 450 Year Road. The highway itself will be 50m wide with an additional 50m on either side to be kept free for drainage, electricity poles and possible future expansion.
The government's goal is to raise everyone above the poverty line by 2020, with Vientiane residents set to achieve this goal by 2015.
Mr Sounthon urged landowners in the vicinity of the new road to support the socio-economic development plan for Vientiane so the capital would become orderly and modernised.
He also urged land and home owners who will be affected by the project not to sell or buy land until the road has been built and the Mayor of Vientiane gives the go-ahead.
Mr Sounthon said this was one of many development projects planned for Vientiane .
Other projects include the expansion of roads behind That Luang stupa, the construction of sections of road from Kaoliew village in Sikhottabong district to the Km 4 port in Sisattanak district, and the development of That Luang marsh.
By XAYXANA LEUKAI
(Latest Update June 16, 2008)
http://www.vientianetimes.org.la/FreeContent/FreeContent_Govt.htm
See also previous post on a planned bypass
Vientiane Road surface to be concreted
A busy road in central Vientiane is to be resurfaced with concrete so it is less susceptible to damage and better able to withstand heavy traffic.
Ministry of Public Works and Transport officials plan to remove the existing damaged asphalt surface on Phontong Road in Chanthabouly district and replace it with concrete in time for the start of the SEA Games in December next year.
The government will spend more than 100 billion kip (about US$13 million) to resurface Phontong Road , which runs from Savang village in Chanthabouly district to the National University of Laos in Xaythany district.
The 10km road was built more than 20 years ago and the surface is now badly potholed. Vientiane Public Works and Transport Department officials are warning road users to take care when driving along this road, particularly in the rain.
Department Office Head Nouanta Hompathoum yesterday said the road carried heavy traffic and had no drainage channels, so that rain could not drain off. A combination of these factors had caused the poor condition of the road.
“We have to repair the asphalt on this road every year so it has been decided to resurface it with concrete to make it stronger and safer for motorists,” he said.
Phontong Road links to another main highway, Kaysone Phomvihane Road , and has carried an increasing traffic load in recent years. This is set to increase, particularly during the SEA Games.
Every year department officials faced problems repairing this and other roads in the city because of budget constraints, he said.
In the 2007-2008 fiscal year the department received 500 million kip from the Ministry of Public Works for the repair of roads in Vientiane , but this money has all been spent.
The department is now asking the ministry for more funds to continue repairs.
A resident of Savang village, Mr Hongthong Douangmany, said he drove along Phontong Road every day and always had to be on the lookout for potholes, which were difficult to see in the rain.
By Meuangkham Noradeth
(Latest Update June 18, 2008)
http://www.vientianetimes.org.la/FreeContent/FreeContent_Vientiane.htm
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