136-km Quang Ngai-Kon Tum expressway planned for 2026-2030

A proposed 136-kilometre expressway would connect Vietnam’s Quang Ngai province with Kon Tum through a four-lane route estimated to cost 52.118 trillion dong. Authorities expect to implement the project between 2026 and 2030.

Transport design consultant TEDI presented the preliminary route and feasibility study to Quang Ngai provincial authorities on September 3. The road would begin at the eastern North-South Expressway in Nguyen Nghiem commune and end at the Ho Chi Minh Road in Dak Ha commune.

The first 37.5 kilometres would have a design speed of 100 km/h and a 24.75-metre roadbed. The remaining section, ending at kilometre 136+179, would be designed for 80 km/h with a 22-metre roadbed. The route would cross the Vi O Lak Pass, intersect Truong Son Dong Road, pass southwest of Mang Den airport and connect with National Highway 24 before continuing west.

The preliminary design includes 79 bridges with a combined length of more than 26 kilometres, seven overpasses and 11 interchanges. These would connect the route with Truong Son Dong Road, Mang Den airport, National Highway 24, the Ho Chi Minh Road and National Highway 14. Officials said the expressway could strengthen links between eastern and western areas, Quang Ngai, Mang Den and the wider Central Highlands.

The plan would require about 1,839 hectares of land, including natural and protection forests, production land and rice fields. Around 896 households could be affected, including about 878 requiring resettlement. Local officials called for route reviews, realistic compensation calculations and measures to reduce impacts on forests and power lines. They also proposed tunnels through suitable mountain sections and using the interchanges to support logistics, storage, goods transfers and urban development.