VietNamNet Bridge – Toll stations on roads built under Build-Operation-Transfer (BOT) contracts could be closed if investors behind the projects delayed repairs, Transport Minister Nguyen Van The said on Monday after receiving complaints about poor-quality BOT roads in the central province of Binh Dinh.

Parts of National Highway No1 running through central Binh Dinh Province are seriously degraded. — VNA/VNS Photo Quoc Dung

He asked relevant agencies to regularly inspect and assess damage to the roads and propose measures to fix the issues.

Phan Cao Thang, vice chairman of Binh Dinh Province People’s Committee said people were very concerned about the quality of parts of National Highway No.1 that runs through the province.

The road was upgraded and re-opened in 2015, but the road surface soon became uneven and potholes appeared.

Le Kim Thanh, director of the ministry’s Department of Construction Management and Quality, said that the 118 km of National Highway No.1 running through Binh Dinh Province was divided into three parts. The first 28.7 km and the last 40.66 km were built under BOT contracts while the 60.6 km section in the middle was built with BOT contracts

Thanh said that the road was damaged by frequent flooding and rain. Moreover, the stone used for the road construction was allegedly of poor quality and not adhesive to asphalt.

“Road repairs are merely conducted to ensure traffic runs smoothly,” he said, adding that further work was being carried out to fix the problems.

“By the end of this year, the work will be completed,” Thanh said.

Provincial vice chairman Thang said the first part of National Highway No.1 in Binh Dinh Province was over 28 km, but the investor upgraded just 23 km, while the third part was over 40.6 km but the investor upgraded about 35 km. However, they opened two BOT toll stations at both ends of the road.

Thang said investors behind the road delayed a reduction in toll fees despite the province’s policy on toll fee reduction.

“Road users complained about the quality and the toll fees imposed on BOT roads such as National Highway No.1 and No.19,” Thang said. 

Minister The said that toll collection must follow current regulations and the project’s finance. He asked for completion of the roadwork by the end of this year.

Also at the meeting with Binh Dinh Province leaders, The asked relevant agencies to develop planning for Phu Cat Airport, Nhon Hoi Port and Quy Nhon Railway Station. 

Source: VNS