City roads upgraded to improve traffic flow

Many roads across the capital have been upgraded or repaired with the aim of improving traffic flow and making driving easier, especially in the rush hour.
City authorities are currently supervising the upgrade of almost 500 metres of road between the Dongnasok traffic lights and Dongpasak village, where the damaged asphalt surface is being replaced with concrete.

Work began on February 23 and is set for completion by the end of March. In addition to resurfacing, the road will be widened and the drainage channels will be improved, according to the Vientiane Public Works and Transport Department.
The upgrade will cost about 2.4 billion kip. Funding will come from the department as one of 32 road upgrade projects in the capital. Motorists have been asked to avoid using this road while the work takes place. 
The department has completed the resurfacing and repair of several roads between Tanmixay, Nathom and Nonsa-art villages in Xaythany district, after work began in November last year.
Drainage has been installed and road surfaces paved with asphalt. The roads that were repaired measure 9km in length and run from the Tanmixay traffic lights through Nathom, Viengkeo, Nonsaengchanh and Huayteuy villages to the Nonsa-art traffic lights.
Asphalt has also been laid on the road between Km 19 to Nasala-Phonngam-Naphork to Km 24 on Road No. 13 South in Xaythany district.
The Ministry of Public Works and Transport is also upgrading National Road No. 13 which is a vital transportation and freight link between Laos and neighbouring countries.
In October, work began on the upgrade of this road between Sikeuth in Naxaithong district, Vientiane, to the Phonhong section in Vientiane province. The road surface is being improved and drainage channels are being installed along both sides.
The upgrade is taking place in three phases. The first phase covers Sikhai to Sikeuth in Vientiane’s Naxaithong district, the second phase will see the repair of the road between Sikeuth and Phonhong district in Vientiane province, and the last section to be upgraded runs from Phonhong to Vangvieng district in Vientiane province.
National Road 13 is the most important highway in Laos, connecting the country with China in the north and Cambodia in the south over a total distance of 1,500 km.
Many sections of this road require repair after suffering damage in the rainy season compounded by increasing numbers of heavy trucks. The highway serves as a vital logistics link between Laos and neighbouring China, Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia.

By Phomphong Laoin
(Latest Update March 1, 2021)