Route 3 (Laos)

Route 3
Route 3
Route information
	Part of AH3
	Maintained by Government of Laos
Length	197 km (122 mi)
Major junctions
East end	Nateuy; Route 13
West end	Huai Xai; Fourth Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge; Thailand Route 1152
Location
Country	Laos
Major cities	Nateuy, Luang Namtha, Huai Xia
Highway system
	Transport in Laos;

Route 3 is an important link in the north of Laos between China and Thailand. The 197 km route begins in the provincial capital Luang Namtha, Louang Namtha Province, Laos. It runs southwestwards reaching the provincial capital of Ban Houayxay, Bokeo Province, on river Mekong. On completion of the Fourth Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge it will end there. China is interested in improving traffic routes to Southeast Asia, to be financed with together with Thailand. China has the main share in the expansion of highways in Laos. The Laotian section is part of the Kunming–Bangkok Expressway, which is part of the Asian Highway AH3.