Partial works resume at collapsed Upper Changi East viaduct

SINGAPORE — Eight months after the collapse of an under-construction Pan-Island Expressway (PIE) viaduct at Upper East Coast Road killed one worker and injured 10 others, partial works on the project have resumed despite investigations into the tragic incident are still ongoing.

Responding to TODAY’s queries, a Land Transport Authority (LTA) spokesperson said the Stop Work Order on the project site — issued after the incident on July 14 last year — has been partially lifted. Hence the LTA and main contractor Or Kim Peow (OKP) Contractors decided to resume road and drain works along “at-grade sections” of the PIE and Tampines Expressway (TPE) on Feb 27.

A Ministry of Manpower (MOM) spokesperson added: “Permission has been granted for OKP to commence on road and drainage works. This was after MOM was satisfied with OKP’s proposals to address safety risks and hazards for these works.”

MOM has submitted its investigation findings to the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) and is seeking AGC’s directions on the prosecutorial decision to be taken, the spokesperson told TODAY.

During the incident last July, OKP Contractors was “carrying out works to cast the decking” for the new viaduct when a section between two piers collapsed.

Eleven workers from China, India and Bangladesh were working on top of the structure during the incident. Chinese National Chen Yichuan was killed, while the others were taken to Changi General Hospital with injuries.

A few days before the incident, OKP contractors was convicted and fined for separate workplace safety lapses and the death of a worker in 2015.

In January, Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan said investigations into the incident are still ongoing.

“After investigations are completed, the matter will be referred to the Attorney-General’s Chambers for their assessment,” Mr Khaw added. “More information will be provided at the appropriate juncture.”

Last August, Senior Minister of State for Transport Lam Pin Min said in Parliament that investigations into viaduct collapse would be wrapped up by October.

It is unclear what is causing the delay in investigations or when it will be completed.

The viaduct, linking TPE to PIE and Upper Changi Road East, is slated to be completed by the first quarter of 2020.

Source: https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/partial-works-resume-collapsed-upper-changi-east-viaduct