Geography

Update on incident at Clementi NorthArc BTO construction site: Recovery operations to be carried out in 3 phases

Recovery works, following the slope failure incident at Clementi NorthArc BTO construction site last Friday, 2 Sep. 

𝗣𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝟭: 𝗜𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘀𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸

Following last Friday’s incident, HDB and the contractor, Chiu Teng Construction Co. Pte Ltd, have taken immediate measures to stabilise the soil by applying a thin layer of concrete over the slope. The channel in Sungei Ulu Pandan is also widened to the current 3.5m and deployed several pumps to improve water flow in the canal. These immediate measures were taken to ensure public and workers’ safety, which is our foremost priority, by mitigating the impact of the slope failure and potential flood risk upstream. 

Nonetheless, the flood risk to the Ulu Pandan Park Connector and immediate upstream areas remains, especially during heavy rain, as the canal has yet to be restored. PUB and NParks will closely monitor the water level in the canal, and to promptly alert residents and park users of any flood risks.

𝗣𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝟮: 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀

With the completion of these immediate mitigating measures and the operational response put in place to manage flood risk, to begin Phase 2 of the recovery works. This involves installation of sheet piles along the affected stretch of the park connector, to reinforce and further stabilise the slope. This is a critical phase, and needs to be completed before the main recovery and reconstruction works can be carried out safely. 

During this phase, sheet piles will be driven deep into the ground to provide earth retention and excavation support. This helps to create a barrier for the safe removal of the displaced earth in the canal. The sheet piling works are expected to start this weekend and will take at least a month to complete. 

In the meantime, NParks will be reopening segments of the Ulu Pandan Park Connector from Boon Lay Way and the Ayer Rajah Expressway to the Commonwealth Avenue West flyover this weekend, which are downstream (i.e. west of the incident site). NParks will work with PUB to monitor the rain forecast and water level in the canal, and will temporarily close the park connector when necessary. 

The upstream (eastern) stretch of the park connector from the incident site to Clementi Road will remain closed for safety reasons, due to ongoing and planned recovery works, and potential flood risk. 

𝗣𝗵𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝟯: 𝗠𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀 

This final phase of recovery and reconstruction works involves fully restoring the canal, reinstating the damaged part of the park connector, and reconstructing the slope and retaining walls within the construction site. These works are extensive and expected to take a few months to complete.