Taipei sidewalk collapses, utility box falls; no expansion signs

A sinkhole opened up on a sidewalk along Zhengzhou Road in Taipei's Datong District on Tuesday morning, causing a nearby utility box to shift and collapse. The incident occurred near the Zhongxing Hospital.

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The collapsed area is about 5 meters by 5 meters by 2 meters, with no signs of further expansion.

Taipei City Deputy Mayor Chang Wen-chuan visited the site and reported that the collapsed area measured roughly 5 meters by 5 meters by 2 meters. He stated there were no indications that the sinkhole was expanding. The site falls under the jurisdiction of the Railway Bureau, prompting notification of Taiwan Railways and the bureau for further assessment.

Chang indicated that Taiwan Power Company would prioritize relocating the fallen utility box. Following this, a more thorough inspection of the damaged underground infrastructure would be conducted. He also mentioned that the area is adjacent to a city-led urban renewal project, and while the collapse is outside the immediate project site, relevant utility companies, including those for sewage, water, electricity, and telecommunications, have dispatched repair personnel.

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The location falls under the jurisdiction of the Railway Bureau, so we have notified Taiwan Railways and the Railway Bureau.

When asked about the potential cause, Chang did not rule out heavy rainfall as a contributing factor but emphasized that a definitive conclusion could not be drawn without examining the underground pipelines. The investigation will determine whether repairs are needed before backfilling or if the issue is solely related to unstable ground. Taipei City Councilor Chen Yi-chun, who also visited the scene, urged the Department of Urban Development and the Department of Public Works to conduct an inspection of the elevated highway structure and the soil layers beneath it to ensure public safety.

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We cannot directly conclude the cause without seeing the condition of the pipelines. After the utility box is moved, we can further determine the situation by looking at the damaged pipelines.