Toll collection on National Road No. 9 in Savannakhet Province is set to be operational by the end of March 2026, as the highway’s 10-year, LAK 3.23 trillion (USD 148.7 million) rehabilitation and maintenance project moves into its next phase.
The announcement came during an official inspection visit on 10 March by Minister of Public Works and Transport (MPTW) Leklai Sivilay, who travelled to the project site to monitor progress and ensure the project stays on schedule.
Toll fees will apply to trucks weighing 12 tons or more, at rates set by the MPWT. Payments can be made via cash or bank transfer through a modern electronic system integrated with the banking network. Revenue will be directed into the Road Fund, which reimburses Road Construction State Enterprise No. 8, the project contractor, for rehabilitation and maintenance works.
The 10-year contract combines an Output and Performance-Based Road Contract (OPBRC) and Public Road Toll Collection (PRTC) system, with three years of rehabilitation and seven of maintenance. The upgrade raises the highway’s load capacity to 11 tons per axle along the East-West Economic Corridor linking Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam.
Construction began in late October 2025, with main infrastructure now complete. Remaining works cover finishing, equipment installation, and staff accommodation. Toll collection to begin in late March, with Entry-Exit Points No. 1 and No. 3 ready to be operational, while Points No. 2 and No. 4 are still underway.
Originally built in 1988, National Road No. 9 has been repaired several times over the decades. This upgrade is its most comprehensive, driven by growing traffic and rising cross-border cargo demand.
