On November 1, the Gia Lai provincial People's Committee announced approval of the investment policy for upgrading and expanding the western provincial road DT.638 from National Highway 19 to Phu Cat Airport.
The project has a total investment of more than 866 billion VND. The central budget will provide 800 billion VND, with the remainder coming from the provincial budget. Investment preparation will take place in 2026 and 2027, while implementation is scheduled for 2028 to 2031.
The road will be approximately 18 kilometres long. Its starting point is at km 0+000, where it meets the southern bypass of the former Phu Phong township at km 1+930. The endpoint is at km 18+000, where it meets National Highway 19B at km 38+200.
The project will pass through the wards and communes of Tay Son, An Nhon Tay, Binh An, Binh Hiep, An Nhon, An Nhon Bac and Phu Cat.
Of the total route, 6.75 kilometres will be newly built, about 6.49 kilometres of the existing National Highway 19B will be upgraded and expanded, and another 5 kilometres will use sections that have already been built. The project will also include a new bridge nearly 600 metres long across the Kon River.
The road will be built to the standard for a Class III plain road, with a design speed of 80 kilometres per hour. The roadbed will be 12 metres wide, including an 11-metre carriageway and reinforced shoulders. The surface will use asphalt concrete.
According to the Gia Lai People's Committee, the DT.638 investment is intended to gradually complete the transport network and strengthen connections between National Highway 19, the eastern North-South Expressway, the Quy Nhon-Pleiku Expressway, National Highway 19B and Phu Cat Airport.
The road is also expected to create a transport corridor linking the western part of the province with economic centres, urban areas, industrial parks, Phu Cat Airport and the eastern part of the province.
The project is expected to shorten transport times, reduce logistics costs, increase road capacity and improve traffic safety. It is also intended to strengthen regional links, attract investment and support socio-economic development.
The Gia Lai People's Committee assigned the provincial transport and civil works project management board to coordinate implementation with the relevant agencies in accordance with regulations.
Sources: Dân Trí
