Repair Works In Progress
LTA Sets Up Independent Investigation Panel
Repair works at Nicoll Highway is in progress, as LTA fills up
the cracks around the incident site with concrete to stabilise
the ground. We have also set up an independent panel to investigate
into the cause of the collapse of the Nicoll Highway work site.
Investigation Panel On the Collapse of Nicoll
Highway Work Site
The panel is chaired by Professor Yong Kwet Yew, Professor
of Civil Engineering and Vice President of the National University
of Singapore, and comprises Professor Wong Kai Sin, Associate Professor,
School of Civil & Structural Engineering, Nanyang Technological
University and Mr Teh Hee Seang, Managing Director of T.Y. Lin South
East Asia Pte Ltd. They are geo-technical and structural experts.
The panel has been tasked to review the design and
construction of the works at Nicoll Highway as well as other works
on the Circle Line. The panel will establish the cause of failure
of the temporary works, suggest recovery measures to restore the
construction works and make recommendations to improve the safety
of design and construction for future works.
Background on Incident and Measures Taken So Far
At about 3.30pm on 20 April 2004, the temporary wall
supporting the excavation site for the tunnels leading towards the
Nicoll Highway MRT station along Circle Line Stage 1 collapsed,
resulting in major soil subsidence and the caving in of Nicoll Highway.
At the time of the incident, the contractor, Nishimatsu Construction
Co. Ltd/Lum Chang Building Contractors Pte Ltd Joint Venture was
carrying excavation works for the construction of tunnels.
Soil subsidence affected an area measuring 100 metre
by 150 metre. It also disrupted the utility supplies in the area
but these were restored by the various utilities agencies shortly.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) was mobilised
immediately to start rescue operations. LTA engineers and management
team was also on site to manage the situation.
LTA has been working closely with SCDF to stabilise
the incident site to support the rescue operations in a safe manner.
We have also diverted the traffic and public bus services.
In addition, we have been monitoring the ground movements
in the area and put in place the following measures:
- Mounted survey markers at Golden Mile Complex,
Merdeka Bridge and Crawford Underpass
- Installed slope protection measures along Nicoll
Highway from Golden Mile
- Installed temporary bank using cement bags to stop
water flow onto incident site
- Filling up cracks around the incident site to stabilise
the ground and prevent water seepage
Our immediate concern was also with the safety of
the surrounding buildings and we are continuing to carry out checks
on the buildings with BCA and ensure that they are safe for use.
Works at other LTA work sites are not affected. Nonetheless,
our staff is monitoring all activities closely to ensure safety
at the sites.
"We are deeply saddened by this unfortunate incident.
Our thoughts are with the workers and their families. We are doing
all we can to assist SCDF on the rescue measures, and we are rendering
the families all the necessary support that they need," said
Mr Ho Meng Kit, Chief Executive of the Land Transport Authority.
LTA would like to assure the public that we are doing
all that we can to ensure the safety of the surrounding area and
return the situation to normal. Given the extent of this incident,
we would like to seek public's understanding that repair works may
take some time and we apologise for the inconvenience caused.
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