VietNamNet Bridge – From October 1, 2012, the Tao Xuyen toll station in the central province of Thanh Hoa, which is famous for the highest toll in Vietnam, will shut down. Meanwhile, the new Tao Xuyen toll booth on Highway 1A is not built yet.

According to the Ministry of Transport, losses from the closing of this toll station while the new toll station is not build yet will be claimed on the agencies that are responsible for the building of the new toll station.

In the case that Thanh Hoa province wants to extend the operation of the old station, it has to ask for the Ministry of Transport’s permission before September 30.

At present, the new toll station is on the phase of site clearance.

The Ministry of Transport Affairs has asked relevant departments to clarify responsibility for the delayed construction of the new toll station.

The Tao Xuyen station is known for its expensive toll, which is 1.5 - 2 times higher that that of other BOT (built-operate-transfer) toll stations. In addition, drivers who do not run on the new road still have to pay toll. Therefore, the Ministry of Transport decided to move this station to a new location.

In August, Minister Dinh La Thang asked the investor - Thanh Hoa Bypass Road BOT JSC – to urgently build the new toll station to open it from October 1. However, the investor has not completed the construction of this toll booth due to many reasons.

The new Tao Xuyen toll station will be built at a total investment of over VND75 billion (over $3 million).

T. Ha