KPL
(KPL) Construction of the Laos-Thailand railway extension linking the existing outer suburban station to central Vientiane is expected to begin at the end of this year or early next year, after the project was suspended in 2011.
(KPL) Construction of the Laos-Thailand railway extension linking the existing outer suburban station to central Vientiane is expected to begin at the end of this year or early next year, after the project was suspended in 2011.
Deputy Director General of the Lao Railway Department under the Ministry of Public Works and Transport Sonesack N. Nhansana told social media last month that authorities in charge are working toward organising a bidding process to seek a consulting firm and contractor to carry out construction by the expected date.
Under phase II, the extended line will be built over a distance of 7.5 km to link the track from the outlying Thanalaeng railway station in Hadxaifong district to Khamsavat village in inner Saysettha district.
Laos only has a 3.5 km railway stretch, linking its capital with Thailand’s Nong Khai province via the Laos-Thailand Friendship Bridge. When the extension is complete, it will boast a railway track of 11 km.
Mr Sonesack said finance was available to fund the project as Thailand had provided more than 203 billion kip (more than 900 million baht or US$ 24,608,110), of which 30 percent was in the form of a grant and 70 percent was a low-interest loan.
Once construction resumes, it will take about two years to complete the project, Mr Sonesack said.
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