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Pha That Luang in Vientiane, Laos
The Laos government has approved a new highway development that connects the capital of Vientiane and Vang Vieng. The project is a joint venture between Laos and China and it will build a new 4 lane highway. China Yunnan Construction is heading up the development and the Laos Investment ministry approved the agreement on April 6, 2018.
The new highway is part of a much larger future project than connects Vientiane and Boten. The Laos government wants to create the new 450 kilometer highway, but obtaining funding is a challenge. The stretch between Vientiane and Vang Vieng is 114 kilometers and is expected to be completed sometime in 2021. The trip between Vientiane and Vang Vieng currently takes around 4 hours, but it can take much longer (sometimes over 6 hours) depending on traffic. The new limited-access highway will cut travel time to just 90 minutes.
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Beautiful Vang Vieng, Laos
Project managers are confident that they can complete the project on time. Chinese investment in the plan is around $1.5 billion. Part of the stretch includes a 680 meter tunnel through Phoupha Mountain. The tunnel will shorten the expressway and improve on travel time. The highway toll is expected to be between 45,000 and 57,000 kip ($5 - $7 USD).
Once construction between Vientiane and Vang Vieng has begun, project managers will begin surveying the stretch between Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang province. Project managers do not have a firm timeline estimate for the final stretch of the tollway.