BCA to conduct independent investigation into Tanjong Katong Road sinkhole incident
The investigations could take several months, given the complexity of the incident
[SINGAPORE] The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) will conduct an independent investigation into the sinkhole incident that took place along Tanjong Katong Road South over the weekend.
On Monday (Jul 28), Minister for National Development Chee Hong Tat said the authority will examine the circumstances leading to the formation of the sinkhole, identify the root causes and take the necessary actions against any non-compliance under the Building Control Act and Regulations.
The investigations are expected to take several months, given the complexity of the incident, said BCA. It will include detailed geographical analysis and other validation tests by the authority and its appointed consultants.
A section of Tanjong Katong Road South collapsed on Saturday evening, swallowing a car and its driver. The driver was sent to Raffles Hospital for observation. She had experienced muscular pain. The sinkhole was located near a PUB construction site, which involved sewer-laying works.
The road has since been closed, with traffic and bus services diverted.
Since the incident, BCA engineers have been working with PUB and the Land Transport Authority to conduct checks on the surrounding buildings, roads and infrastructure to ensure they remain structurally safe.
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Construction work on the site was halted after the sinkhole formed, and a stop work order was issued to require the builder and supervising qualified person to implement safety measures.
Such measures included cordoning off the affected area, performing geophysical surveys to detect underground voids and backfilling the adjacent shaft.
The backfilling of both the adjacent shaft and the sinkhole was completed on Monday morning. This stabilised the incident site and the adjacent buildings remain safe, said BCA.
BCA had recommended that PUB implement a safety time-out for similar sewer construction projects across Singapore, and conduct a thorough review of current practices and safeguards at those worksites.
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