Large and dangerous potholes
Bad construction quality
According to the Ministry of Transport, despite being open to traffic for just a few months, the road had already started to show serious signs of ware by January 1, 2009, including cracks and holes.
Now as much as 55% of the road is riddled with cracks and even large sinkholes. The project cost a total of roughly VND500 billion (USD23.8 million).
Blame has been placed on the investor, Song Da Group, for their lax management, along with the contractors.
After the Song Da Group won the bid, two of its affiliates, Song Da 25 Joint Stock Company and Song Da 27 Joint Stock Company, hired nine sub-contractors who had no experience in this type of project.
As a result, large portions of the road are not up to standards concerning materials used and thickness.
Many of the materials used were never checked for documents certifying their quality, and the steel used does not meet up with technical standards.
Although the road has been in operation for more than two years, the project investor has failed to submit a balance sheet for auditing purposes. Meanwhile, there are sections of the road which are still not finished.
Strict punishments for the investor
The ministry has requested the Song Da Group deal with these problems by the second quarter of 2012. It also warned that strict punishments would be attached for failure to complete the road on schedule.
The ministry also asked that the individuals or groups responsible be identified, and have assigned the Transport Construction Quality Control and Management Bureau the duty of suggesting punishment options.
Recently, authorities in Ha Tinh Province ordered that the investor repair the bypass, but the there has been no improvement to date.
Vo Kim Cu, Chairman of the People’s Committee, proposed that the Ministry of Transport close the toll collection booths until repairs are made.
Under the law, the Transport Engineering Consulting Joint Stock Company No. 533 also holds some responsibility of the deteriorating road.
The investor evades responsibility for repairs
