Work on a project to upgrade National Highway 20 to facilitate the transport of bauxite ore will start on December 23, according to the Ministry of Transport.

The project will upgrade a 123-kilometer stretch of the highway, connecting Dong Nai and Lam Dong provinces, to serve bauxite transport.

Total costs are estimated at VND7.648 trillion (US$364 million), of which VND4.548 trillion will cover construction fees, Tuoi Tre newspaper reported.

The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2014.