New Streetlights Brighten Vientiane For National Day
Source: Vientiane Times
New streetlights along seven main roads in the capital have given the city a bright new feel amid preparations to celebrate National Day on Wednesday.
The lighting will enhance the fountain at the Patuxay monument as well as make travel easier and safer for road users.
This very welcome addition to the city’s amenities has been funded by grant aid from the Chinese government, as part of National Day celebrations on December 2.
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The Chinese government agreed to undertake the project on February 10 this year, an agreement was signed on June 18, and work began on September 12.
Business and technical cooperation to improve lighting in Vientiane was agreed between the Lao and Chinese governments on May 30, 2018. On December 6, 2019, the two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding to carry out a survey for the project.
The new lighting system for main roads and the Patuxay fountain was officially handed over to the city at the Patuxay monument on Friday.
The ceremony was attended by the Mayor of Vientiane, Dr Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune, Minister of Industry and Commerce Mrs Khemmani Pholsena, Chinese Ambassador to Laos Mr Jiang Zaidong, and former leaders and senior officials from Laos and China.
Speaking at the event, Director of the Vientiane Energy and Mines Department, Mr Xonglao Yongnou, said further work would see the improvement of asphalt paving, improvement and installation of more poles, and creation of a video and information system management office. This would be completed on February 25, 2021, and handed over on March 25.
In the city centre, new streetlights have been installed on Kaysone Phomvihane Road between the 450 roundabout and the Patuxay monument, along Lane Xang Avenue, and on 23 Singha Road from the Patuxay monument to the roundabout at That Luang.
In other areas, lights will be erected on Nongbone Road from the Nongbone traffic lights to 23 Singha Road and the 450 roundabout; on Setthathirath Road from the junction outside the Presidential Office to Mahosot Hospital and the Mekong riverside; from the junction at Chao Anouvong Park to the Pakpasak roundabout; and on Setthathirath Road from the Pakpasak roundabout to the junction at Mahosot.
The Chinese government is funding the project at a cost of 300 million yuan. This year, 87.5 million yuan was allocated for the upgrade of the fountain and lighting at the Patuxay monument and the installation of new streetlights.
