VietNamNet Bridge – Local residents are to blame for the disappearance of hundreds of screws that link barriers along the Noi Bai – Lao Cai Expressway, the Viet Nam Expressway Corporation (VEC) said on Wednesday.

A worker reinstalls screws on a stretch of Noi Bai - Lao Cai Expressway, where a number of screws were found missing. Residents were to blame for the missing screws, VEC said. — Photo dantri.com.vn

The corporation said this after Dan tri online newspaper reported that hundreds of screws were found missing along the expressway on Tuesday.

Following an official document sent to local media, the corporation provided evidence that local residents had been discovered stealing screws since 2014. For example, on November 27, 2014, three children were caught removing the screws along a stretch of the expressway in northern Phu Tho Province's Phung Xa Commune. Last week, two children were seen removing bolts and screws along a stretch of the expressway in the northern Vinh Phuc Province's Nam Viem Commune.

In talks with Dan tri online, a transport expert said he was in shock when hearing about the incident, noting that the barriers were designed to protect people when traffic accidents occurred.

"Imagine what will happen if a vehicle, travelling at a high speed, suddenly crashed into the barriers and there are no screws!" he said.

Meantime, the corporation also offered one more explanation for the lack of screws on barriers that contractors were completing the construction of drainage systems on several stretches of the expressway.

"They had not finished installing screws and will complete the work soon," the company said.

It will tighten patrolling, and work with local schools to educate students to join hands in protecting the expressway to bring the situation under control.

In addition, the management board of the Noi Bai – Lao Cai Expressway has decided to set up a team to inspect the progress and operation of the project.

The 245-km long Noi Bai – Lao Cai expressway was opened to public last September, reducing the time to travel from Ha Noi to Lao Cai from eight hours to 3.5 hours.

VNS