VIENTIANE: The Lao government has approved the construction of the fourth section of an expressway connecting the northern Lao provinces of Oudomxay to Boten in Luang Namtha, which borders China.
This section is part of an ongoing project to improve transportation links between Laos and China, which is divided into four phases. The newly approved fourth section will cover a distance of 63km from Oudomxay to Boten, the local Pasaxon newspaper reported on Wednesday (July 24).
Phase 1, which stretches 109km from Lao capital Vientiane to Vangvieng, was completed in 2021. This section has quickly gained popularity among travellers, as it has cut travel time from more than three hours to just one hour.
Meanwhile, the construction of Phase 2, connecting Vangvieng to Luang Prabang, and Phase 3, linking Luang Prabang to Oudomxay, is currently under review for contract renewal.
The Lao Ministry of Public Works and Transport is encouraging the further development of land, air and rail transport between Laos and China to spur investment, trade and tourism between the two countries. - Xinhua
