Vietnam is close to awarding contracts on the $251m, 6.3km long Hai Van Pass Tunnel on National Highway No. 1 following the return of bids at the end of February.
Favourite for the north tunnel section (package 1A) is a JV formed between Japan’s Hazama Corporation and Civil Engineering Construction Corp No. 6 (Cienco 6), part of Vietnam’s construction ministry, after the group lodged the lowest price.
The lowest bidder for the south tunnel section (package 1B) is South Korean firm Dong Ah in partnership with local firm Song Da Construction Corp. Tenders are currently being evaluated by the client, Project Management Unit 85, and the organisation’s consultants, a consortium between Nippon Koei of Japan, Louis Berger of the US and the local Transport Engineering Design Inc. This consultancy team also carried out the design and will supervise construction.
The results of the technical assessment will be passed to Vietnam’s prime minister for approval before being sent to the project financiers, the Japan Bank of International Co-operation (JBIC) for the final green light.
The JBIC is providing 85% of the finance under the terms of two loan agreements signed in 1997 and 1998.
Construction is expected to begin by early July this year, with completion in mid-2004, according to PMU85 officials.
The northern section calls for: a 3.4 km long main tunnel; a 3.4km parallel evacuation tunnel; seven cross passages; a 1.6km long ventilation adit; and 85m of approach road.
The southern segment comprises: a 3km long main tunnel; a 3km long parallel evacuation tunnel; seven cross passages; a 1.6km long ventilation adit; and 40m of approach road.
The tunnel, about 1000km north of Ho Chi Minh City, forms part of a new 13km route that will improve communications between Vietnam, Laos and Thailand.
