On 18/9, the Vinh Hao - Phan Thiet Expressway Project Management Board announced the completion of repairs to eroded areas and potholes on the section passing through Ham Thuan Bac and Ham Liem communes. The unit mobilized excavators to fill and compact the eroded holes.
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Sand overflowed onto the Vinh Hao - Phan Thiet Expressway near Ham Liem commune. Photo: Viet Quoc |
Inspecting the site, the management authority determined that several sections of the water barriers along the roadside had been removed by the maintenance unit, while others were damaged by vehicle collisions. This allowed water to overflow, causing erosion at the base of the guardrail posts.
"We have rebuilt the barrier sections to prevent recurrence," said Nguyen Khac Viet, project director.
According to Pham Tuan, an official from Road Management Bureau IV, the removal of the barriers stemmed from heavy rain and inadequate drainage in low-lying areas. The maintenance unit had to remove the barriers to facilitate water flow and ensure the safety of vehicles.
The project management board affirmed that the road was constructed according to design, with drainage ditches every few dozen meters. There were no incidents in over two years of prior operation, and this erosion was caused by unusually heavy rain.
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According to the Bac Binh Meteorological Station, the region experienced 11 days of heavy rain in the first half of September, with many days exceeding 150 mm. The total rainfall over 15 days reached 1,250 mm, 1.7 times higher than the same period last year.
Heavy rain also caused sand to overflow onto the expressway in Ham Liem commune due to water runoff from lower-elevation agricultural lands and illegal sand mining. The project management board coordinated with local authorities to dig ditches and redirect water flow to prevent sand from flowing onto the road. "The commune has increased patrols to prevent illegal sand mining," said Nguyen Hung, Chairman of the Ham Liem Commune People's Committee (UBND).
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Sand overflowed onto the Vinh Hao - Phan Thiet Expressway near Ham Liem commune. Photo: Viet Quoc
On 16/9, following media reports, the Prime Minister directed the Ministry of Construction to inspect the erosion. Yesterday, the State Inspection Council for Construction Works Acceptance visited the site, but the results have not yet been released.
The Vinh Hao - Phan Thiet Expressway is over 100 km long, with a total investment of 10,853 billion VND. It was put into operation over two years ago. This section is part of the North-South Expressway in the east, connecting the South Central Coast with the Southeast, shortening travel time from Phan Thiet to Nha Trang and TP HCM.
Viet Quoc
