Ministry aims to build more roads in Central Highlands The Transport Ministry aims to mobilise some VND65 trillion (USD3 billion) through 2020 to complete the national highway system in the Tay Nguyen Central Highlands, according to the Steering Committee for the Central Highlands Region.   Construction site along National 14C The amount, to be sought from the Government bonds, the State budget, and investment from economic sectors, will be invested in building and upgrading some 1,380 km of roads in a bid to boost socio-economic development, ensure national defence and security, and improve the local living conditions.  By this June, the Ministry aims to complete expansion to the 553km-long section of the Ho Chi Minh road (previously National Highway No.14), which runs from the Central Highlands Kon Tum province to southern Binh Phuoc province, serving as the first North-South axis road in the region. After that, priority will be given to a number of highways with great traffic flow, including the National Roads No.24 to 29, No. 14C, No. 19, and Dau Giay-Lien Khuong in Lam Dong province. New sections will also be built to connect the National Road No. 14C with the Ho Chi Minh Road, the Eastern Truong Son Road and the National Road No. 1. In addition, the ministry will call for investment in railways connecting the region with big sea ports in the south central and southeast regions, while continuing to upgrade regional airports to facilitate travel for investors and tourists. Between 2012-2015, more than VND33 trillion (USD1.54 billion) has been mobilised in upgrading national roads running across the Central Highlands.  The region now has total 32,220km of roads, of which national roads accounts for 2,100km, provincial roads 2,030km and the remaining being rural roads. It is also served by three airports, namely the Lien Khuong airport in Lam Dong province, Buon Ma Thuot airport in Dak Lak province, and Pleiku airport in Gia Lai province. The Tay Nguyen Central Highlands consists of five provinces: Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Gia Lai, Kon Tum and Lam Dong. dtinews.vn