According to VEC, the Ben Luc - Long Thanh Expressway is nearly 58km long, is a key connecting route between the Southeast and Southwest regions, and plays a strategic role in connecting to Long Thanh International Airport, industrial parks and major seaports.

The project was implemented with a large total investment, using ODA loans from JICA, ADB and domestic counterpart funds. During the construction process, the project encountered many difficulties in terms of land, technology and capital. However, to date, the sections have been basically completed.

Specifically, from February 2025, the sections Km0 - Km 3+420 and Km 50+530 - Km 57+581 were put into temporary operation; then, the section Km 3+420 - Km 21+850 was put into operation in April 2025. The entire route is expected to be completed in 2026.

VEC affirmed that the early organization of toll collection is an urgent requirement to ensure investment efficiency, stable operation and maintain financial safety. This is also the main and only source of revenue for VEC to fulfill its obligation to repay ODA loan principal and interest and maintain the operation of other expressways that the unit is managing.

Fees are affordable to the people

Notably, the toll collection on the Ben Luc - Long Thanh route is part of the overall solution to balance cash flow for all 5 expressway projects invested by VEC. If the toll collection is delayed or not collected, it will disrupt the approved financial plan, affecting the debt repayment ability and overall financial security of the enterprise.

In addition, because the route passes through many complex terrains, with many large technical works such as river bridges and underpasses, maintenance, management and operation costs are very high. Not collecting tolls will cause VEC to lack funds for periodic maintenance and repair, potentially posing a risk to traffic safety.

The price of VND2,000/km/CPU is considered by VEC to be suitable with the financial plan approved by the Ministry of Transport (now the Ministry of Construction), while ensuring harmony between people's ability to pay and businesses' financial requirements. The proposed price adjustment cycle is 3 years/time, each time increasing by 12%.

VEC said the classification of tolled vehicles will be based on Decree 130/2024. The official toll collection time will be publicly announced in accordance with the provisions of Circular 34/2024 of the Ministry of Transport on the operation of road toll stations.

Ben Luc - Long Thanh Expressway started construction in 2014 with a total length of nearly 58km, passing through the provinces and cities of Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai and Long An, with a total investment of 31,300 billion VND, now reduced to more than 29,500 billion VND. The route has 4 lanes, 2 emergency lanes, and a maximum speed of 100km/h. This is the largest expressway project in the South, helping to connect the two regions of the East and the Southwest. However, the project is slow to implement due to difficulties in investment policies and lack of capital.

PT

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/som-trien-khai-thu-phi-cao-toc-ben-luc-long-thanh-10225050511115239.htm