Deputy Prime Minister Hai said that the two projects had an important role to not only HCMC but also the southeast region, and thus the State will still prioritize investment capital for these projects despite the current capital shortage.

According to Vietnam Expressway Corporation (VEC), the expressway project has been over 60% completed, and it is scheduled for completion late next year. However, some parts have fallen behind schedule, especially the site for a 4.2-kilometer part connecting the expressway with East-West Highway in HCMC has yet to be cleared.

Previously, Le Manh Hung, director of the authority for the southern expressway projects, had told the Daily that VEC was considering opening a temporary road linking Do Xuan Hop Street in HCMC’s District 9 with the expressway.

Therefore, Deputy PM Hai asked HCMC and VEC to adopt the solution of temporarily connecting the expressway when putting it into operation late next year.

Regarding the metro line, although the city has set the commencement date for the main package having a length of 17.1 kilometers on August 28, the project is encountering legal procedures. Hai asked the city to closely monitor and ensure the implementation progress as well as quality of this project.