VIENTIANE (Vientiane Tims/ANN): The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has provided grant aid of US$13 million for the Project for Upgrading 6 Bridges and Road Safety on National Road No. 8.
A groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction to upgrade the bridges and improve road safety on this highway took place in Vientiane last week.
The event was attended by Minister of Public Works and Transport, Ngampasong Muongmany, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Laos, Mr Jung Yung Soo, Country Director of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in Laos, Myungjin Kim, Director General of the Department of Roads, Vanthong Bouttanavong, Programme Manager from Korea Expressway, and other officials from Laos and the Republic of Korea.
The bridge and road safety improvement project on National Road No. 8 (Asian Highway 15), which passes through Borikhamxay and Khammuan provinces, is being implemented through KOICA and will help to improve the safety and overall quality of life of the people of Laos.
Ambassador Jung Yung Soo expressed his sincere expectation for the successful completion of the project, grounded in the strong cooperative relationship between South Korea and Laos.
The project served to strengthen cooperation between the two countries, he said, and noted that 2025 will be the 30th anniversary of the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between Korea and Laos. In line with this milestone, the two governments have agreed to elevate their relationship to a “Comprehensive Partnership” in commemoration of the occasion.
Ngampasong Muongmany, on behalf of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport and the government of Laos, expressed sincere gratitude to the government and people of the Republic of Korea for their generous support for the socio-economic development of Laos, particularly in the sectors of public works and transportation.
National Road No. 8, which runs through Borikhamxay and parts of Khammuan province, is a critical international route connecting Laos, Thailand and Vietnam.
The road was built in the 1980s and many of the bridges along the route have fallen into a dilapidated state and have poor conditions that do not meet the required standards. This means it is necessary to upgrade both the bridges and road infrastructure to meet acceptable standards.
In response to this need, the government of South Korea, through the Korea International Cooperation Agency, has committed Official Development Assistance (ODA) in the amount of US$13 million to support the Upgrading 6 Bridges and Road Safety on National Road No. 08 (AH15) project.
The project comprises six components, namely: Design and construction consultancy; Construction of 6 bridges (including improvement of 2 black spots); Installation of road safety equipment; Raising awareness of highway safety; Supply of equipment for implementation; Capacity building through training programmes.
The impact of this project will be far-reaching for domestic and international trade and investment. It will also improve the movement of citizens, making travel between neighbouring villages safer and more convenient. This is a significant contribution to the development of Laos.
The partnership between the Ministry of Public Works and Transport and KOICA underlines a strong commitment to sustainable development and moving forwards together.
The project will also strengthen the bond between the governments and people of both Laos and South Korea.- Vientiane Times/ANN
