Hanoi\'s Thang Long Bridge will undergo its 4th repair since being renovated in March.

>> Hanoi’s Thang Long Bridge dangerously damaged again

>> Official: Cracks on bridge a big lesson

>> Investigation into cracks points to execution

>> Thang Long Bridge to get another makeover

>> New bridge, new cracks

Cracking problems on the bridge’s surface have made for very dangerous driving conditions

The cost to repair its surface is estimated to be about VND1 billion ($52,000), according to Nguyen Nang The, who represents the contractor responsible for repairing the bridge.

Nearly VND100 billion ($5,185,650) was spent on the renovation project of Thang Long Bridge’s surface that was completed in March. However, after just 3 months, it was seriously damaged. The bridge’s surface has been repaired 3 times at a cost of VND1 billion ($52,000).

When the contractor’s level of responsibility is clarified by the Ministry of Transport, they will know whether or not they have to cover its cost. In the mean time, the contractor will have to cover the expenses until the Ministry reaches a conclusion on what has happened.

“The Ministry of Transport assigned the Institute of Transport Science and Technology to investigate the causes for the cracking surface, once they have the results, the Ministry will determine who is responsible,” said Nguyen Nang The, the project deputy manager in charge of the repairs.

The contractor performed their own evaluation of the bridge and acknowledged that the surface was damaged. They estimated that 6.5% of the surface area was affected.

“On August 5, we will begin making repairs. The bridge surface is under a guarantee period, thus, the contractor will be responsible for fixing it. This is expected to take a week,” The said.