Construction site's repeated collapses damage Taichung school track

Repeated ground subsidence around a construction site in Taichung City's Longjing District has led to a neighboring elementary school's running track collapsing, adding to a year of geological instability that has forced residents of an adjacent house to prop up their home with 12 steel columns.

Taichung City Councilor Chang Chia-an criticized the city's Urban Development Bureau for repeatedly allowing the construction project to resume work despite three instances of ground collapse in the vicinity. She argued that the bureau's approvals were superficial, prioritizing the developer over the safety of students and residents.

The construction began in July last year, and within two weeks, the adjacent house had sunk nearly 50 centimeters, prompting the residents to move out and rent elsewhere. The cause of the subsidence remains undetermined by city authorities. The developer was initially ordered to halt work due to safety concerns but was later permitted to resume after submitting an improved plan and undergoing third-party assessments.

However, the subsidence continued, culminating in the collapse of the track at Longquan Elementary School. The Urban Development Bureau has now mandated that the developer immediately repair the school's track and enhance safety measures for basement excavations. The developer must complete these repairs by August 27 or face the withholding of occupancy permits. The bureau also stated that the developer must take responsibility for the damage caused to the school.