Even as the probe into the fatal collapse of a Pan-Island Expressway (PIE) viaduct enters its eighth month, work has resumed at the site at Upper Changi Road East. Workers were seen this week operating machinery on the road level of the ill-fated project. On 14th July 2017, a raised section gave way, killing one worker and injuring 10 others.
In response to queries from The Straits Times, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said that there was a 'partial lifting of the Stop Work Order on the project site'.
Hence, main contractor Or Kim Peow Contractors 'has begun road and drain works along at-grade sections' of the project.
The LTA would not say when the project - which would allow motorists a more direct connection to the westbound PIE and Upper Changi Road East by 2020 - would be completed.
Or Kim Peow Contractors, which secured the contract with the lowest bid of $94.6 million in 2015, was not available for comment. It was also revealed that the firm had scored the lowest for quality in the project submission.
It also emerged that a consultant from CPG - OKP's sub-contractor - who designed the viaduct was also the supervisor who checked the construction works. While the practice is not illegal, industry players said it is not ideal.
Two weeks after the collapse, Manpower Minister Lim Swee Say called it a 'wake-up call' and said it would not have happened 'if everyone involved in this project had paid enough attention to the design and construction of the viaduct and the safety of workers'.
The collapse was among the worst infrastructure failures here in recent years. In April 2004, a section of the Circle MRT Line, which was under construction, gave way and brought down part of the Nicoll Highway. Four workers were killed.
A check on the Manpower Ministry's list of Stop Work Orders revealed that the work cessation order for the viaduct project was still fully in force. The ministry has not responded to queries sent Wednesday (21st March) morning.
