The Vientiane to Vang Vieng expressway is now to be extended to China, according to a recent announcement by Yunnan Construction Engineering Group.
The first phase of the expressway will link Vientiane Capital with Vang Vieng, stretching some 113.5km, and the $1.2 billion USD agreement for the expressway was signed when Chinese President Xi Jinping made an official visit to Laos.
Now, the expressway is to be extended to reach the border between Laos and China at Boten, in Luang Namtha Province. This will provide an excellent opportunity for trade and passenger transport between the two nations.
The road will run parallel with the existing Road 13 north, and vehicles will be able to travel at up to 80 km per hour. It is expected that facilities such as gas stations, hotels, shops and restaurants will be constructed at various points along the course of the four-lane highway.
The project, headed by Yunnan Construction Engineering Group, is under a Build-Operate-Transfer model. It is expected to be complete by 2020.
