Vietnam Highway Project Damages Local Road, Authorities Undertake Temporary Repairs

In Long Thanh district, Dong Nai province, southern Vietnam, the Bung Mon road, a vital artery for local residents, has been severely damaged due to the heavy traffic of material transport vehicles for the Bien Hoa-Vung Tau Expressway Project currently under construction. According to the local newspaper Nhan Dan, following complaints from residents, Long Thanh district authorities initiated temporary repair work on July 31st to minimize the impact on the local population. At the site, multiple excavators and road rollers were mobilized to carry out roadbed preparation, gravel laying, and compaction on the damaged sections. Representatives from the district and the police were present to oversee the repair process, emphasizing safety during construction and urging prompt restoration. Traffic police also regulated the movement of heavy vehicles, directing them to the alternative Route 769. Residents living along Bung Mon road had expressed significant frustration over the road's deterioration, attributing it to the constant flow of vehicles serving key projects. They reported that especially during the rainy season, large potholes and uneven surfaces emerged, leading to numerous dangerous incidents, including motorcycle accidents. The district authorities acknowledged that the road's damage was a direct consequence of material transport for Phase 1 of the Bien Hoa-Vung Tau Expressway's Component Project 2. Despite two previous temporary repairs, the road quickly succumbed to further degradation. Since May 2026, the Long Thanh District People's Committee has formally requested Project Management Board 85, the investor of Component Project 2, to expedite the restoration of Bung Mon road to its original condition, but progress has been slow. The district is currently implementing two projects aimed at improving drainage in the Bung Mon road area. In a document sent to the Dong Nai Department of Construction on July 22nd, Project Management Board 85 stated that it is collaborating with contractors and local authorities to inspect the site, confirm the extent of the damage, and agree on a restoration plan. Based on this, the contractors are projected to commence restoration work in August 2026. Similar grievances regarding road damage caused by the Bien Hoa-Vung Tau Expressway construction have been raised by five communes and wards in Dong Nai city, with residents urging for the repair and restoration of local roads and seeking compensation for affected households.