Authorities play down faults on Vinh Tuy Bridge   Cracks, possibly caused by concrete shrinkage, appear on one of the main piles of the Vinh Tuy Bridge, which spans the Red River in Ha Noi. - VNS Photo Courtesy of baodautu.vn HA NOI (VNS)  - Cracks in one of the main piles of Vinh Tuy Bridge, which spans the Red River in Ha Noi, will not impact the quality of the project, according to a senior transport official. The cracks, possibly caused by concrete shrinkage, were detected at a recent inspection, said deputy director of the municipal Department of Transport Nguyen Xuan Tuan. Although these cracks have begun to absorb rainwater, they would not affect the loading capacity of the pile or the bridge's overall structural stability. However, it was necessary to keep a close watch on them to assure the safety of the bridge, he said. The inspection was conducted by the department and seven parties, including the contractor, the supervision consultant steering committee, the project management unit and the designing units. They agreed that the cracks would be repaired by applying a special glue. Nguyen Quang Tuynh, deputy director of Thang Long Construction Corporation, the constructor of the bridge's piles, said that the pile was designed to be hollow, so further investigation was required and the parties had agreed to hire a unit to conduct such an investigation. The VND5.5 trillion (US$258 million) Vinh Tuy Bridge, one of seven bridges across the Red River, aims to address the pressing issue of transport in the capital. The 5.8-km long and 19.25-m wide bridge with four lanes was completely constructed by Vietnamese engineers and workers. The project reduces traffic over the Chuong Duong Bridge, contributing to completing the city's second belt road and creating more favourable conditions for development of new urban areas by the banks of the river. The Ta Ngan Project Management Board was formerly the project's contractor, but it is now under the management of the city's Transport Department. - VNS