KUANTAN: East Coast Rail Link's (ECRL) "Bentong Tunnel 2" remains intact and the structure does not show signs of collapse despite the sinkhole incident at the Kuala Lumpur-Karak Expressway (KLK) near Bentong on Tuesday.
Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL), the project owner of the ECRL, said after conducting further investigations at the site, there were no signs of stress or collapse of the ECRL tunnel structure located beneath KM61 of the KLK.
"We would like to emphasise that the 'Bentong Tunnel 2' remains intact despite the sinkhole incident. It is important to note that the tunnel is structurally safe for construction works to resume.
"We will continue to prioritise safety awareness and identify potential hazards at the work site. Furthermore, we want to clarify that the soil settlement at the tunnel face area, which occurred on July 25 (Tuesday) was an isolated incident and has since been rectified.
"MRL along with the engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning (EPCC) contractor CCC-ECRL will carry out a thorough and detailed investigation into the sinkhole incident. We will provide findings and proposed recommendations, if any, as a result of this investigation," read the statement.
MRL said they were maintaining constant communication with the relevant authorities regarding the sinkhole incident and were fully committed to cooperating with them to ensure the safety of all parties involved.
The sinkhole which appeared on a section of the Kuala Lumpur-Karak Expressway (KLK) near Bentong yesterday was believed to have been caused by the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) works in the vicinity.
Yesterday, Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi said investigations revealed the sinkhole was triggered by ECRL's underground tunnel construction works across the highway in the respective location.
MRL had alerted the KLK operator, Anih Bhd, to close a section of the dual-carriageway near the Bentong toll plaza after soil movements were detected in the vicinity on Tuesday. The measures were taken prior to the presence of the sinkhole at 8.34pm.
At 10am today, Anih had activated a contra lane for the westbound stretch (towards Kuala Lumpur) while the eastbound lanes were opened at 11pm yesterday after repair works were completed.