Yen Vien – Lao Cai Railway Upgrading Project

A. Introduction

1. The Government of Vietnam (GoV) has a railway capacity enhancement and upgrading project with financing from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the Directorate General of Treasury (DG Trésor) of the French Ministry of Finance and Economy. The project components are: (i) Track component – improving the alignment of the existing track, especially at sharp curves and in the vicinity of the Red River (to address problems associated with flooding, subsidence of embankment, and slope stability); replacing worn-out rails with hardened-steel rails, particularly on sections of track having sharp curves where rail wear is most severe; replacing old sleepers and fastenings to prevent gauge expansion; replacing worn out turnouts on the main line, and ballasting of track. A total of about 240 km will be replaced with new rails, sleepers, and fastenings; (ii) Bridge component – construction of six new bridges; rehabilitation of 13 war-damaged and corroded bridges, which currently have speed restrictions; and strengthening of up to 60 substandard bridges to enable use of heavier and more powerful locomotives; (iii) Terminals component – constructing a new intermediate station at Mai Tung at km 124+200 including passing loops; constructing additional passing loops (each with length of 480 m) at nine stations; extending existing passing loops (minimum length of 450 m) at a further eight stations; upgrading station facilities at North Yen Vien, Van Phu, Yuan Giao ‘A’, and Lao Cai; and providing operational facilities at selected stations; (iv) Safety component; and (v) Reform component – institutional reforms related to the improvement of financial governance, and cross-border procedures at Lao Cai.
2. The Project railway line forms part of the Hanoi to Lao Cai railway in the Kunming (PRC) to Haiphong transport corridor. The non-electrified single track meter gauge project line was constructed in the first decade of the 20th century. It traverses about 285 km in a generally north-westerly direction from Yen Vien station, near Hanoi, along the northern bank of the Red River to Lao Cai at the border with the PRC. The line crosses a varied terrain, including mountainous areas; connects a number of cities, towns, and industrial and residential areas; and carries substantial traffic (transit traffic between Hai Phong port and the PRC’s Yunnan province, bilateral trade between Viet Nam and the PRC, and domestic traffic, including from the apatite mine at Xuan Giao to the phosphate and chemical company near Tien Kien). The railway line also provides reliable and cheap passenger transport to the poor Northern provinces. Rail services are popular, especially for tourists and locals visiting the mountainous region around Sa Pa, which is about 35 km from Lao Cai.
3. The alignment of the railway is characterized by tight curves; steep gradients; poor quality track, in particular lack of ballast; old and worn rail; insufficient track capacity at main stations; passing loops that are too short to accommodate full-length trains; and bridges that have deteriorated due to conflict, damage, corrosion, and steel fatigue, necessitating speed restrictions. Proximity to the Red River means that some sections of the railway embankment are subject to erosion and require regular embankment protection works to sustain stability. Operations and safety are further compromised by numerous unauthorized and unprotected level crossings along the unfenced right of way. The communications and signaling system require modernization and this will be achieved under another program.
4. The project line traverses 285 kms from Yen Vien station (Km 10+500) to Ho Kieu Bridge (Km 296+050) which forms the border with the PRC in Lao Cai. The project includes the approximately 10km long apetite freight line from Pho Lu station to Xuan Giao station.
5. The broad objectives of the upgrading project are to remove capacity constraints by improving operational efficiency, improving passenger and freight carrying capacity and improving safety. Meeting these objectives will: (i) facilitate trade and enable economic growth within and between northwestern Viet Nam and Yunnan province; (ii) facilitate access to and from Hai Phong port to Yunnan province, especially for container traffic; (iii) reduce transport costs; (iv) improve traffic safety; and (v) secure sufficient railway capacity to handle future traffic demand to 2020.

B. Funding and Implementation Arrangements

1. The Government of Viet Nam (GoV) has entered into loan agreements with The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) to fund  i) project detailed design and preparation of bidding documents; ii) construction supervision services; and iii) construction works for capacity enhancement and rehabilitation/upgrading. The ADB and AFD have entered into a co-financing agreement to provide these project funds.
2. The GoV has also entered into a loan agreement with the Government of France – Direction Générale du Trésor (DGT) to fund procurement of rails, track switches, and fittings.
3. The executing agency for the project is Viet Nam Railways (VNR) and the implementing agency is the Railway Project Management Unit (RPMU). VNR have 4 maintenance companies (termed Railway Public Utility Companies) who will be responsible for maintenance of the existing track and facilities during the railway upgrading works.
4. The upgrading works have been divided into the 3 construction packages and one package for supply of rails, turnouts and fish plates, as follows:

   

5.  The services described in these Terms of Reference relate to three components namely:

a)         Review of survey and designs for completeness for CP1, CP2 and CP3.

b)         For RP, inspection and acceptance of rail, turnout and fish plates at the Port of Haiphong and supervision of delivery arrangements to storage facilities on site.

c)         Construction supervision of the whole Project which includes CP1, CP2, CP3 and CP5.