New expressway develops crack after torrential rains

September 26, 2014 | 09:28
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Three days after opening, Viet Nam's longest expressway, which runs 245km from Noi Bai to Lao Cai, has developed a 10-metre crack that runs from one side to the other.
A 10-metre crack appeared on Viet Nam's longest expressway, which runs 245 kilometres from Noi Bai to Lao Cai. - Photo doisongphapluat.com

The Viet Nam Expressway Corporation (VEC), which funded the expressway, on Wednesday blamed soft ground for the crack at the 83km mark between Yen Bai and Phu Tho provinces.

The corporation said it had predicted the appearance of the crack and had placed a warning sign near the site beforehand - and at nine other soft spots along the expressway.

One of its representatives said that torrential rains triggered by two recent storms could have undermined the road.

The section of road in question was built by Keangnam Construction Company, which claims it closely followed regulations on treating soft ground.

The VEC representative said the corporation always surveyed the ground looking for soft spots and then took "appropriate measures".

Work on the expressway began in 2008 and cost a total of US$1.25 billion.

VNS

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