VietNamNet Bridge – In the first half of 2012, six accidents happened on Thang Long Bridge, killing seven people. With 32 broken sites, maximal speed will be restricted at 40km per hour.

At a meeting on July 10, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Ngoc Me, chief of Hanoi’s traffic police team No.6 said that accidents on the bridge soared in the past six months. From January 2010 to December 2011, only 5 fatal traffic accidents occurred on the bridge, killing five people. Meanwhile, up to six fatal accidents were reported in the first half of 2012, with seven deaths. In addition, there were many incidents involving vehicles on the roads; many cars had their axles broken or had punctures.

The police officer asked relevant agencies to urgently fix cracks and holes on the bridge, to place danger signs and to restrict maximal speed to 40km/hour for trucks and 50km/hour for 4-9 seat cars.

A transport firm made a survey on the bridge and found 32 broken sites. Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Transport confirmed that the downgraded road was the main reason for causing traffic accidents on the bridge. Tan asked the Project Management Unit 2 (PMU2), which is responsible for taking care of Thang Long Bridge, to fix errors immediately.

While waiting for PMU2 to mend broken sites, the Hanoi Department of Transport will place danger warning signs and speed restriction signs on the road.

In 2009, PMU2 kicked off a project to repair the Thang Long Bridge. However, after this project was finished, the bridge has been still in bad conditions, with many cracks and holes. PMU2 asked the contractor – Bao Quan Company – to fix errors but the bridge surface has not been repaired completely.

Previously, PMU2 explained that hot weather heated up steel structures on the bridge to nearly 70oC at noon. After that it rained, making the concrete to suddenly shrink, resulting in cracks and holes.

The 6km Thang Long Bridge connects Hanoi center to the Noi Bai International Airport.

Compiled by Mai Lan