Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, Lieutenant General Douangchay Phichit, yesterday opened the new 274km National Road No 1D linking northeastern Laos to the central region.
The Army Engineering Department of the Lao People’s Army began building the asphalt road in 2008.
The work started in Namlinsoung village in Khoun district, Xieng Khuang province, with the new road cutting through to Phakha village in Viengthong district, Borikhamxay province.
Workers are also building Road No 4B over a distance of 81km to connect both the capitals of Borikhamxay and Xieng Khuang via Road No 1D. This road is now more than 90 percent complete, linking Pakxan to Road No 1D.
Improvements to the road network in Borikhamxay province will provide a better link to Vietnam, which will facilitate agricultural exports. From the point where Road No 1D links with Road No 8 in Khamkeut district, it is about 70km to the Laos-Vietnam border.
Construction has also begun on a 60km road from Road No 1D in Viengthong district to Xaychamphone district. Once complete, the road linking Vienthong with the Vietnamese border in Xaychamphone will further reduce travel distances for some people to 60 kilometres. This road is scheduled to be finished in 2016.
The expansion of the road network is making a huge difference to travel between Laos and Vietnam.
