VIENTIANE: The Lao government will focus on key developmentsaimed at improving transportation infrastructure to enhance connectivity at the domestic, regional, and international levels, the Prime Minister has told the National Assembly recently.
The initiative is expected to support production, services, trade, and investment by strengthening critical transport links.
Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone told National Assembly members that this includes the completion of upgrades to Road No. 13 North from Sikhai to Phonhong, and Road No. 13 South from km71 to km346.
In addition, preparations are underway for thesigning of a loan agreement to upgrade Road No. 13 South from km21 to km71 in Vientiane province, while bidding is being conducted for contracts to improve Roads 2E, 2W, and 12.
Plans are also in place to renovate National Highway No. 9 using service fees collected from trucks. Similar funding strategies are being prepared for repairs to other national highways.
The Prime Minister spoke encouragingly about planned expressway construction, namely the Laos-China Expressway from Oudomxay province to the Boten border crossing with China, and the Vientiane-Hanoi Expressway.
Efforts are being accelerated to repair damaged highways, especially Road 13 North, using the Road Fund.
Significant progress has been made on the Huaykeo-Kontuen bridge across the Mekong River in Bokeo province, which is now 98.85 percent complete.
Construction of the 5th Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge (Pakxan-Beung Kan) is 97.37 per cent complete. The final connection was completed on June 6, and the opening ceremony is expected to be held in December.
The construction of 12 bridges along Road No. 20 in Champassak and Saravan provinces is now 61.3 per cent complete. Meanwhile, a loan has been requested from NEDA to build the Xiengman-Luang Prabang bridge across the Mekong River.
A feasibility study is being prepared for the construction of the 6th Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge (Saravan-Ubon Ratchathani), with plans to secure a loan.
The government will also organiseimprovements to international airports, including Wattay, Luang Prabang, and Pakxe.
Prime Minister Sonexay noted that freight transporters have carried 3.89 million tons—exceeding the 2025 target by 0.95 per cent. Rail freight accounted for 1.52 million tonnes, surpassing the 2025 plan by 6.27 per cent.
The Laos-China railway carried 1.23 million passengers in the first five months of this year, exceeding the 2025 target by 6 per cent. - Vientiane Times/ANN
