The Lao government plans to build a new expressway linking Luang Prabang with Oudomxay, drastically reducing travel time between the two provinces.

According to Lao economic daily, the proposed expressway would link Luang Prabang province, some 230 km north of capital Vientiane, with Oudomxay province, stretching some 113.9 km.

Luang Prabang authorities discussed a feasibility study at a meeting last Friday, chaired by Deputy Provincial Governor of Luang Prabang, Soukan Bounyong.

"Construction will start from Luang Prabang district, linking Nga, Nakok and Xay district, with a total of area of 1,055 hectares," said the deputy governor.

The project would have an estimated value of 2.88 billion U.S. dollars.

A 29.8 km length would run through Luang Prabang, with an 84.1 km stretch through Oudomxay province. The expressway would include 96 bridges, five exit points, and eight tunnels.

If constructed, the expressway would shave hours off the current travel time between Luang Prabang and Oudomxay, from a six-hour trip to 1.5 hours, according to the report.