(KPL) If things go as planned, construction of the Lao-China high-speed railway project is expected to construction in November of this year and is expected to be make a significant contribution to promoting trade, investment, transport, communication and services in ASEAN member countries.
The project will is expected to stimulate economic growth, tourism, and income generation for the nations as well as employment and poverty reduction.
It will also provide greater convenience for people who want to travel between the northern and central provinces as well as for goods transport.
Nowadays, it takes many hours for people who want to travel northwards on a bus or private car and they are at risk of having accidents because there are many sharp curves and valleys along the road stretching to the north.
Once completed, the Laos-China high-speed railway project will form a short cut for taking passengers and goods from centre to north and vice versa.
The project will feature a passenger train designed for a maximum speed of 160 km per hour (almost 100 miles per hour) and a goods transport train which can offer a top speed of 120 km per hour (almost 75mph).
The construction of the Lao-China high-speed railway project will take around five years to complete after the groundbreaking ceremony takes place.
The governments of Laos and China are preparing to establish the Lao National Railway Enterprise as a joint venture with a Chinese enterprise to develop, manage and operate the multi-billion-US-dollar project.
It was initially estimated to cost US$6.8 billion, of which 40 per cent will be directly invested by the two governments, with the Lao government responsible for 30 per cent of this amounting to US$840 million while the remaining amount of 70 per cent will supported by Chinese government.
The enterprises of the two countries will be responsible for the remaining 60 per cent of the total investment.
The Lao-China high-speed railway project will link Kunming of China to Singapore and pass through Thailand, Malaysia, and Vientiane Capital of Laos.
The project will connect the Vientiane Capital of Laos with the Chinese border at a distance of 417 km long and will feature 31 stations, including five main stations in Nateuay, Meuangxay, Luang Prabang, VangVieng and Vientiane Capital.
There will be 76 tunnels and 154 bridges over the distance from the Chinese border to Vientiane Capital.
The Lao National Assembly approved the Lao-China high-speed railway project in 2012 as part of a plan to turn Laos from a landlocked country into a land-linked nation.
Source KPL News
