Damaged drainage line caused Pasig road cracks: engineers
ADVERTISEMENT

Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!
Damaged drainage line caused Pasig road cracks: engineers
Anjo Bagaoisan,
ABS-CBN News
Published Aug 24, 2021 11:46 PM PHT
|
Updated Aug 25, 2021 06:19 AM PHT

MANILA - A damage in a half-century-old drainage line has been pinpointed by city engineers in Pasig City as the root of the cracks that appeared on Topaz Road in Ortigas Center.
MANILA - A damage in a half-century-old drainage line has been pinpointed by city engineers in Pasig City as the root of the cracks that appeared on Topaz Road in Ortigas Center.
Water seepage from the ruined pipe caused the topsoil beneath the street to erode, Mayor Vico Sotto said in an online post on Tuesday, citing the findings of the city engineering department.
Water seepage from the ruined pipe caused the topsoil beneath the street to erode, Mayor Vico Sotto said in an online post on Tuesday, citing the findings of the city engineering department.
The cracks that ran 50 meters along the road—some going 10 feet deep—opened up amid heavy rain on Sunday that also saw pressurized water escaping from drainage openings.
The cracks that ran 50 meters along the road—some going 10 feet deep—opened up amid heavy rain on Sunday that also saw pressurized water escaping from drainage openings.
The affected portion of Topaz Road has since been closed to motorists.
The affected portion of Topaz Road has since been closed to motorists.
ADVERTISEMENT
A damaged drainage line has been determined by Pasig City engineers as the cause of the cracks that appeared on Topaz Road this weekend.
Mayor Vico Sotto said water seepage from the half-century-old line caused top soil erosion in the road, leading to the cracks. pic.twitter.com/vgYljlWtt1
— Anjo Bagaoisan (@anjo_bagaoisan) August 24, 2021
A damaged drainage line has been determined by Pasig City engineers as the cause of the cracks that appeared on Topaz Road this weekend.
— Anjo Bagaoisan (@anjo_bagaoisan) August 24, 2021
Mayor Vico Sotto said water seepage from the half-century-old line caused top soil erosion in the road, leading to the cracks. pic.twitter.com/vgYljlWtt1
The pipe is part of an original drainage system constructed in the 1960s and later turned over to the local government, Sotto said.
The pipe is part of an original drainage system constructed in the 1960s and later turned over to the local government, Sotto said.
However, the engineers have yet to determine how the line gave way.
However, the engineers have yet to determine how the line gave way.
The drainage line has already been plugged and diverted.
The drainage line has already been plugged and diverted.
Investigators have ruled out soil liquefaction and a fault line as factors behind the cracks, Sotto added.
Investigators have ruled out soil liquefaction and a fault line as factors behind the cracks, Sotto added.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) earlier stated there were no fault lines in the area and no seismic activity at that time.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) earlier stated there were no fault lines in the area and no seismic activity at that time.
ADVERTISEMENT
Weather bureau PAGASA also refuted lightning strikes as the cause of the cracks.
Weather bureau PAGASA also refuted lightning strikes as the cause of the cracks.
LOOK: The ground penetrating radar used by the DENR Mines & Geosciences Bureau on Tuesday to inspect the area beneath the damaged Topaz Road.
Pasig City says both a fault line & soil liquefaction were ruled out as causes of the cracks.
📸:Mayor Vico Sotto pic.twitter.com/AsrERx4RjJ
— Anjo Bagaoisan (@anjo_bagaoisan) August 24, 2021
LOOK: The ground penetrating radar used by the DENR Mines & Geosciences Bureau on Tuesday to inspect the area beneath the damaged Topaz Road.
— Anjo Bagaoisan (@anjo_bagaoisan) August 24, 2021
Pasig City says both a fault line & soil liquefaction were ruled out as causes of the cracks.
📸:Mayor Vico Sotto pic.twitter.com/AsrERx4RjJ
The probe into the cause of the cracks also included a survey by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
The probe into the cause of the cracks also included a survey by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
The MGB ran ground-penetrating radar across the road on Tuesday to analyze the soil and other utilities underground.
The MGB ran ground-penetrating radar across the road on Tuesday to analyze the soil and other utilities underground.
Sotto said aside from the city’s rapid assessment and planning, they are also waiting for soil testing results before they begin fixing the drainage and road.
Sotto said aside from the city’s rapid assessment and planning, they are also waiting for soil testing results before they begin fixing the drainage and road.
SAFE BUILDINGS
All buildings surrounding the cracked section of Topaz Road are safe, according to the assessment from the Pasig City engineering department.
The foundation of the adjacent building was found to be deeper than the excavation at the nearby construction site. pic.twitter.com/9cFBCHLpn4
— Anjo Bagaoisan (@anjo_bagaoisan) August 24, 2021
All buildings surrounding the cracked section of Topaz Road are safe, according to the assessment from the Pasig City engineering department.
— Anjo Bagaoisan (@anjo_bagaoisan) August 24, 2021
The foundation of the adjacent building was found to be deeper than the excavation at the nearby construction site. pic.twitter.com/9cFBCHLpn4
The city engineer’s report also said the high-rises surrounding Topaz Road are safe.
The city engineer’s report also said the high-rises surrounding Topaz Road are safe.
ADVERTISEMENT
The buildings had not been evacuated after the cracks appeared, with residents and tenants still allowed to enter the road.
The buildings had not been evacuated after the cracks appeared, with residents and tenants still allowed to enter the road.
However, a new water line was installed Tuesday to service the 4 buildings after the damaged pipe was cut off.
However, a new water line was installed Tuesday to service the 4 buildings after the damaged pipe was cut off.
The assessment found the foundation of the building within 5 meters of the road went deeper than the excavation of the adjacent construction site.
The assessment found the foundation of the building within 5 meters of the road went deeper than the excavation of the adjacent construction site.
Part of the excavation has been flooded for 2 days since the appearance of the cracks.
Part of the excavation has been flooded for 2 days since the appearance of the cracks.
The retaining wall of the site is set to be reinforced to stop soil erosion.
The retaining wall of the site is set to be reinforced to stop soil erosion.
ADVERTISEMENT
The cause of the damaged drainage line behind the cracks has yet to be found.
The private developer/contractor of the construction site told the city they would cooperate with further investigation as engineering officials determine any violation
📸:Mayor Sotto/Contrib photo pic.twitter.com/iomme0eADb
— Anjo Bagaoisan (@anjo_bagaoisan) August 24, 2021
The cause of the damaged drainage line behind the cracks has yet to be found.
— Anjo Bagaoisan (@anjo_bagaoisan) August 24, 2021
The private developer/contractor of the construction site told the city they would cooperate with further investigation as engineering officials determine any violation
📸:Mayor Sotto/Contrib photo pic.twitter.com/iomme0eADb
Sotto said the city engineering department and the office of the building official are looking into possible violations at the excavation site that may have caused complications in the incident.
Sotto said the city engineering department and the office of the building official are looking into possible violations at the excavation site that may have caused complications in the incident.
The private developer and contractor have told the city they would cooperate with the probe, he added.
The private developer and contractor have told the city they would cooperate with the probe, he added.
They would also help with the rehabilitation and repair expected to be done in the coming days.
They would also help with the rehabilitation and repair expected to be done in the coming days.
RELATED VIDEO
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT