An engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the first stage of a project to modernise railway signal system was signed by the Viet Nam Railway Corporation and China's Beijng Railway Construction Company in Ha Noi on Sept. 25.

The 968.6 billion VND (60.5 million USD) contract is expected to be carried out in 29 months.

With a total investment capital of 1.08 trillion VND (67.5 million USD), including 975.6 billion VND (60.97 million USD) from the Chinese Government's preferential credit, for the first stage, the project will install a 1.150 km-long optical cable fibre system from the Vinh station in Nghe An central province to the Nha Trang station in Khanh Hoa province, a 1,577 km-long bronze cable system from the Vinh station to the Sai Gon station in Ho Chi Minh City, and other facilities.

The project is part of a master plant to develop Viet Nam's railway system by 2020 that was ratified by the Prime Minister. It is scheduled to begin in November this year and be completed by late 2010.

Source: VNA