Why a Steel Cage Wasn’t Too Heavy to Handle… Not at All
Picture this: two giant metal “boxes” flipping over like a baby slingshot.
On the night of Wednesday, May 15, the bustling East Coast Integrated Depot workers faced a hair‑raising slap‑stick moment when two steel rebar cages went rogue. They toppled over, crashing straight down onto one another at the site of the future MRT depot.
What the LTA Says About It
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) confirmed the culprit: a rebar cage that was supposedly going to support a column went unexpectedly tilting onto its neighbor. Thanks to the hefty weight, both cages continued to lean slowly like a pair of lazy swans until they finally fell with a dramatic “pop!”. No one was hurt, but the whole thing left everyone wondering how this happened.
Rebar Cages: In Plain English
- Rebar cages are robust steel frames used to temporarily hold places that will later become solid concrete.
- They’re essential for structural integrity, but apparently, they can find themselves in a “table flipping” situation if not handled correctly.
Safety First (and Second… and Third!)
The LTA spokesman is sure that the incident won’t delay the depot’s planned 2024 opening. He emphasized that “safety is seriously taken” and that a thorough investigation is underway. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Manpower has also acknowledged the tilt and is delving into the details.
The Depot’s Big Picture
When the works are finished, the East Coast Integrated Depot will be a fortress of transit:
- Three-level complex – Downtown Line below, Thomson‑East Coast Line at ground level, East‑West Line above
- A bus depot to house 760 vehicles right next to the MRT facilities
- Infrastructure to support current and upcoming MRT lines (East‑West, Downtown, and the new Thomson‑East Coast Line)
Ironically, some of the most “heavy” parts of the structure stayed light on people’s minds thanks to a bit of lighthearted (but seriously important) investigation. Stay tuned for more updates as the safety story gets a fresh twist!
