Project Management Unit 85 (PMU 85) under the Ministry of Construction has sent a third request to Dong Nai authorities over thefts of lighting equipment along the expressway.
The 18-km component project managed by PMU 85 was opened to traffic on April 29, while the entire Long Thanh interchange became operational on June 6.
Part of the lighting system on the main route and four branches of the Long Thanh interchange has since been handed over to Road Management Area IV for operation and maintenance.
However, electrical cables and equipment have repeatedly been stolen from the main route, Long Thanh interchange and the interchange serving Long Thanh International Airport.
The latest incident was discovered on August 1, when electrical cables were stolen from the N3 branch linking the Vung Tau direction with the airport in Long Thanh Ward and Long Phuoc Commune.
The theft caused an electrical cabinet to catch fire and knocked out the entire lighting system in the area. The contractor estimated the damage at about VND 277 million (USD 10,500).
Contractors must cover repairs to facilities that have yet to be handed over, while repairs to transferred assets will require state budget funding.
PMU 85 said the repeated thefts had caused financial losses, affected traffic safety and could disrupt plans to complete final acceptance procedures and put the entire project into official operation before September 2.
The project management unit has asked local authorities and Dong Nai police to investigate the thefts and step up patrols to protect infrastructure along the expressway.