Northern Greater Mekong Subregion Transport Network Improvement Project

Another important lesson learned from the project was that the use of a 6-year implementation period and design - construct contracts for the civil works packages was successful in addressing implementation delays that have occurred in previous road projects in the Lao PDR. The reasons for this success are (i) consultants can review contractors' designs easily and maintain the quality of design, and (ii) design - construct contracts can shorten the implementation period. The four project road contracts under the direct control of ADB and the supervising consultants, together with the rural access road and periodic road maintenance contracts were completed within their contract periods. Only project road section R4-1, financed by the Government of the Republic of Korea, experienced delayed implementation and a civil works contract extension of 14 months, with provision of additional government contributions for road works.project cycle stage: Design, Implementation