In recent days, Dân trí reported an incident where expansion joints on the National Highway 45 – Nghi Sơn expressway, specifically in Trung Chính commune, Nông Cống district, Thanh Hóa province, became dislodged, causing multiple cars to suffer tire blowouts and posing significant traffic safety risks.
A representative from the Vietnam Road Administration stated that immediately after receiving the report from Dân trí, the agency issued an official dispatch instructing Road Management Unit II (QLĐB II) to implement temporary traffic safety measures. They also requested the project investors and construction contractors to urgently carry out repair solutions to ensure traffic safety.
To ensure safe traffic conditions on the expressways under its management (from the north of Tam Điệp Tunnel to Diễn Châu and Cam Lộ – La Sơn), Road Management Unit II has instructed Project Management Units (PMUs) responsible for these expressway sections to proactively inspect and review entire stretches of road to identify and comprehensively address similar emerging issues.
Additionally, the Vietnam Road Administration has directed maintenance and expressway operation units, along with regional road management offices, to intensify patrols, increase inspection frequencies at potential risk points, promptly address any issues to maintain traffic flow, and install warning systems for easier driver awareness.
Moreover, the Vietnam Road Administration has required project investors to direct construction contractors to thoroughly fix newly emerged defects covered under warranty.
Workers repairing the damaged expansion joint following the incidentMaintenance crew fixing the expansion joint after the incident (Photo: Hoàng Dương).
According to the Vietnam Road Administration, by September, the Intelligent Transport System (ITS), currently being developed by the Ministry of Transport with modern technology operating 24/7, is expected to monitor all traffic activities on the expressways once implemented.
The Vietnam Road Administration believes that with this system in place, it will detect defects promptly, handle emergency traffic incidents more swiftly, and help reduce accidents and congestion on the expressways.
The Vietnam Road Administration also expressed gratitude to Dân trí and hopes for continued cooperation to enhance the safety and efficiency of expressway construction, management, and operations, contributing to economic and social development.
As per information from the Vietnam Road Administration, the Sông Nhơm Bridge in Trung Chính commune, Nông Cống district, Thanh Hóa province, belongs to the National Highway 45 – Nghi Sơn section of the Eastern North-South Expressway project phase 2017-2020.
The project was handed over by Project Management Unit 2 (PMU 2) and contractors to Road Management Unit II for operation starting June 2024.
Since the handover, the construction contractor must fulfill a 24-month warranty obligation as per the signed contract and construction law regulations.
Upon receiving the project, Road Management Unit II contracted a unit to manage and operate the expressway, conducting regular maintenance.
During a patrol on February 6 at 6:30 PM, the operation management unit discovered damage to the expansion joint on the northern abutment (left side, heading from Vinh to Hanoi). Concrete cracks were found, and the comb-type steel expansion joint had detached from its position.
Immediately afterward, the expressway operation management unit reported the incident and the damage caused to several vehicles, including punctured tires, to relevant parties for coordinated handling.
On February 8, the construction contractor for the Sông Nhơn Bridge completed repairs to the damaged expansion joint. The expressway operation management unit collaborated and assisted in ensuring traffic safety during the repair process.
In its regulatory role, prior to the Sông Nhơm Bridge expansion joint incident, the Vietnam Road Administration and various Road Management Units had already issued directives to conduct comprehensive reviews of all expressway sections to promptly identify and address or request PMUs and construction contractors to rectify and repair any defects.
Source link: https://dantri.com.vn/xa-hoi/cuc-duong-bo-yeu-cau-sua-chua-triet-de-cac-hu-hong-tren-cao-toc-20250216230122603.htm
