Parts of tipper truck gets stuck in sink hole incident in Upper Changi
25 Apr 2014|3,971 views
Parts of a tipper truck sank into a sink hole, measuring two metres in width, along a section of Upper Changi Road East yesterday morning. The driver, who wanted to be identified as Mr. Su, was driving alone and managed to exit the vehicle unhurt.
The ground gave way in the middle lane of a three-lane road towards the direction of Singapore Expo. The location of the sink hole was in close proximity to a Downtown Line construction site - for the upcoming Upper Changi MRT. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) closed two of the lanes so that the truck could be removed and the road is presumed to be repaired by today morning.
Although this is the first case reported this year, it follows at least five such cases in 2013, several of which were due to burst water pipes and construction on the Downtown Line.
LTA told The Straits Times, it is investigating the incident and will monitor underground construction works in the area. A spokesman also added the incident would not affect work on the Downtown Line 3, which will be ready in 2017.
The spokesman revealed, the authority inspects ground conditions and ensures that appropriate construction methods are undertaken before major underground construction are done. In addition LTA also monitors road conditions near excavation sites or tunnelling works for signs of ground movement.
Engineering experts the English spoke to cite it is difficult for checks to uncover all possible sinkholes, and exhaustive tests are disruptive and expensive.
Mr. Chong Kee Sen, Deputy President of the Institution of Engineers Singapore, explained a soundwave test can be conducted to test for hollowness in the ground, although it is rather difficult to check all areas or conduct it on a daily basis - as it is difficult and traffic has to be cordoned off.
The engineers believe, yesterday's incident could be a result of nearby tunnelling works, which causes soil to move towards cavities to fill them up. Water pipe leakages and rainwater eroding the sand underground could also be blamed.
Parts of a tipper truck sank into a sink hole, measuring two metres in width, along a section of Upper Changi Road East yesterday morning. The driver, who wanted to be identified as Mr. Su, was driving alone and managed to exit the vehicle unhurt.
The ground gave way in the middle lane of a three-lane road towards the direction of Singapore Expo. The location of the sink hole was in close proximity to a Downtown Line construction site - for the upcoming Upper Changi MRT. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) closed two of the lanes so that the truck could be removed and the road is presumed to be repaired by today morning.
Although this is the first case reported this year, it follows at least five such cases in 2013, several of which were due to burst water pipes and construction on the Downtown Line.
LTA told The Straits Times, it is investigating the incident and will monitor underground construction works in the area. A spokesman also added the incident would not affect work on the Downtown Line 3, which will be ready in 2017.
The spokesman revealed, the authority inspects ground conditions and ensures that appropriate construction methods are undertaken before major underground construction are done. In addition LTA also monitors road conditions near excavation sites or tunnelling works for signs of ground movement.
Engineering experts the English spoke to cite it is difficult for checks to uncover all possible sinkholes, and exhaustive tests are disruptive and expensive.
Mr. Chong Kee Sen, Deputy President of the Institution of Engineers Singapore, explained a soundwave test can be conducted to test for hollowness in the ground, although it is rather difficult to check all areas or conduct it on a daily basis - as it is difficult and traffic has to be cordoned off.
The engineers believe, yesterday's incident could be a result of nearby tunnelling works, which causes soil to move towards cavities to fill them up. Water pipe leakages and rainwater eroding the sand underground could also be blamed.
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