State auditors have called for the reduction of nearly VND21 billion (US$1.17 million) from the investment costs of a roadway in Hanoi.

The auditors found that the $62-million-plus project, proposed by the Ministry of Transportation, had several faults from the design stage onwards, causing it to sink since it opened to traffic in January, 2002. Another VND14.4 billion ($807,401) had to spent on effecting repairs to the roadway.

Imperfections in the design had also increased the project’s cost by more than 110 percent over original estimates, including additional works carried out during construction, the auditors said.

So far the government has refused to take over the four-lane roadway, saying the quality is unsatisfactory and cannot be guaranteed.

Source: Thanh Nien, Tuoi Tre