Hopewell Train Pillars Collapses For A Stretch Of 150m: Bangkok

[webfact]

State Railways of Thailand governor: Beam collapse due to metal scaffold theft

BANGKOK, March 1 – Today’s collapse of the unfinished Hopewell elevated concrete beam across rail tracks in Bangkok suburb was caused by metal scaffold theft, the governor of the State Railways of Thailand (SRT) said on Thursday.

Yutthana Thapcharoen commented following the collapse of a concrete beam across railway tracks in Bang Khen. The concrete beams were built in the 1990s as parts of Bangkok Elevated Road and Train System, commonly known as the Hopewell Project. Although no casualties were reported, the incident has disrupted the inbound train services.

The SRT governor instructed engineers to inspect the damage, and clear the railway tracks.

Mr Yutthana said the initial investigation found that the point of the collapse was the same location that the contractor, Hopewell Holdings, had built metal scaffolds to test weight capacity of the concrete beams.

The metal scaffolds have been stolen, leading to the collapse of the beams, according to the SRT governor.

Mr Yutthana said it would take three hours to clear the area before inbound train services could resume, while clearing the overall area would take about a week.

The Hopewell Project was named after the contractor, Hopewell Holdings. Intended as an elevated highway and rail line from the city centre to Don Mueang Airport, the project was officially terminated in 1998 being only 10-13 per cent complete, leaving over one thousand unfinished elevated concrete pillars standing idle along the planned route. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-03-01

[webfact]

Part of Hopewell project in Chatuchak collapsed, no one injured

BANGKOK: -- A portion of abandoned Hopewell project near Kampaengpet Road on Thursday collapsed but no one was injured.

The concrete part linking pillars of the project that collapsed is near railway tracks in Chatuchak district and about 100 meters from Wat Samiennaree.

The Bt 80 billion project was approved in 1990 and was a joint project of the Thai authorities and and the Thai subsidiary of Hopewell Holdings of Hong Kong.

The construction ceased in August 1997 during the Asian financial crisis, with only around 10% complete. The project was formally terminated by the Cabinet in 1998.

-- The Nation 2012-03-01

[Slaps]

Because some of the scaffolding had bee nicked

.

[webfact]

INN: Hopewell train pillars collapses for a stretch of 150m onto Bangkok Bangkhen rail track; train service disrupted /TANN

[rixalex]

Rather than blaming the thieves, how about blaming authorities for the stupidity of using scaffolding to hold up massive concrete beams?

Why not just go in there and tear down this constant eyesore reminder to failed government policy and failed business of the 90s?

[ParadiseLost]

Project 10 - 18% complete. Budget 110% spent.

They don't say when the scaffolding was nicked - any bets on 1999? What an eyesore blighting your country for a decade, surely the (No)Hopewell crowd should have been forced to remove such dangerous structures? Oh, I forgot - budget depleted...

[AleG]

I've always thought of the unfinished expressway as Thailand's version of Stonehenge. Obviously its not going to last nearly as much as the Celtic one.

[Chaiwaelem]

"Hopewell Holdings, had built metal scaffolds to test weight capacity of the concrete beams."......

I guess that concludes the test :-)

[laurentbkk]

I have seen those pillars under construction , I look at those pillars everytime I go back home ..means everyday on vipavadee road .... ugly for sure ... defenetely useless now .. why not tear them down? , take back the metal , throw away the concrete .... it really looks bad ... some kind of unfinish business but was it because of the crisis in 1997 that it stopped ? I doubt ..

[Curt1591]

The whole Hopewell project should stand in testimony to the folly that is investing in Thailand.

[Bagwan]

Why aren't TAT advertising this as yet another tourist attraction in Amazing Thailand?

Didn't anybody consider that these eyesores bring shame and disrespect to Thailand? Would it be over reaction to wonder just how safe and secure all the other elevated roads and the Skytrain is?

[toenail]

It has always been an eyesore so if the government won't tear it down, let the "commoners" take it apart.

[TackyToo]

I have no knowledge about construction. However, I was wondering wouldn't all these pillars not make a decent floodwall?

Edited March 2, 2012 by Scott
formatting

[OzMick]

The level of stupidity of some people is not to be underestimated. Remember when they stole bolts from electricity pylons causing one to collapse?

I have vivid recollection of a contractor working on a long conveyor belt who noticed the copper bus-bars in the local switch-room. He came back to steal it at night, somehow ignoring the fact that the belt was operating (quite noisy), and the bus was energised at 33,000V. As they say in the armoured corp, "one flash and you're ash."

[FangFerang]

Oddly enough, I suggested that the structures be dismantled and used to create a raised and permanent flood wall--cheap, and accomplishing two actions, 1) clearing the area and 2) protecting the riverbanks....a v e r y long stretch of river could be walled up using this already formed concrete.

Hmm.

[ratcatcher]

Oddly enough, I suggested that the structures be dismantled and used to create a raised and permanent flood wall--cheap, and accomplishing two actions, 1) clearing the area and 2) protecting the riverbanks....a v e r y long stretch of river could be walled up using this already formed concrete.

Hmm.

Not a bad idea FF but not much in it for those waiting at the trough, eh?

[Curt1591]

Where did you get the great photo of the governor?!

[airconsult]

Rather than blaming the thieves, how about blaming authorities for the stupidity of using scaffolding to hold up massive concrete beams?

Why not just go in there and tear down this constant eyesore reminder to failed government policy and failed business of the 90s?

For all the posters recommending the pylons be torn down - I agree.

Unfortunately Hopewell Holdings (HK) still retains ownership of the pillars (according to a Thai court) as there is still an ongoing dispute about payments due to Hopewell from the government.

One day in the misty future it may be resolved.....

[pimay11]

The metal scaffolds have been stolen, leading to the collapse of the beams, according to the SRT governor.

I wonder how many more scaffolds have been stolen with the beams waiting to fall?

[asiascharlie]

The scrappers should be aloud to pull down old junk like this and recycl what they can .Allow big machines to pull it down first and let thenm have at it .

[webfact]

Deserted Mass Transit Structure Collapses Near Temple

BANGKOK: -- One of the Hopewell Project's structures has collapsed onto a rail track near Samiennaree Temple.

There was no injury and disruption of rail services from the incident.

A concrete platform on one of the unfinished structures in the discontinued Hopewell elevated road and train project collapsed near Samiennaree Temple in Chatuchak District this morning.

The collapse occurred at 7.30 AM near the outbound lane of Kamphaengphet 6 Road, just 100 meters from the temple, leaving debris over a 20-meter stretch of a rail track which ran underneath.

Fortunately, there was no injury or disruption to rail services resulting from the incident.

Police assume that thieves had gradually cut out steel bars from the structure for sale until the columns were unable to support the platform and caused the collapse. Rusting of steel nuts and plates have also been blamed for the collapse.

Architectural and engineering experts have yet to investigate the site. Officials assured a thorough inspection of the remaining structure will be conducted and any section that is deemed unsafe will be demolished.

The Hopewell pillars are widely regarded as a disgraceful monument to corruption. They have been there for more than a decade.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-01

[Ricardo]

I always assumed that these pillars were a message to the aliens, from the TAT, saying something like 'This Way to Miracle Thailand" ?

[AleG]

Rather than blaming the thieves, how about blaming authorities for the stupidity of using scaffolding to hold up massive concrete beams?

Why not just go in there and tear down this constant eyesore reminder to failed government policy and failed business of the 90s?

For all the posters recommending the pylons be torn down - I agree.

Unfortunately Hopewell Holdings (HK) still retains ownership of the pillars (according to a Thai court) as there is still an ongoing dispute about payments due to Hopewell from the government.

One day in the misty future it may be resolved.....

Similar situation as many skyscraper skeletons left rotting since the '97 crisis. Wait until one of those suckers kicks the bucket, it won't be pretty.

[sparebox2]

I've always thought of the unfinished expressway as Thailand's version of Stonehenge. Obviously its not going to last nearly as much as the Celtic one.

After the collapse, it is looking a little more like Stonehenge.

[TackyToo]

Rather than blaming the thieves, how about blaming authorities for the stupidity of using scaffolding to hold up massive concrete beams?

Why not just go in there and tear down this constant eyesore reminder to failed government policy and failed business of the 90s?

For all the posters recommending the pylons be torn down - I agree.

Unfortunately Hopewell Holdings (HK) still retains ownership of the pillars (according to a Thai court) as there is still an ongoing dispute about payments due to Hopewell from the government.

One day in the misty future it may be resolved.....

Perhaps after another plane was grounded???

Edited March 1, 2012 by TackyToo

[webfact]

Hopewell section crumbles

MONTIEN INTAKET

WATCHARAPONG THONGRUNG

THE NATION

No injuries, but debris litters railway; officials say parts of supporting scaffolding stolen

BANGKOK: -- A section of the abandoned Hopewell elevated train project collapsed in Bangkok's Chatuchak district yesterday morning, prompting authorities to check the strength of the rest of the project's towering, unused structures. No one was injured in yesterday's collapse.

Transport Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan said he had instructed the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) to check the Hopewell structures and reinforce them where necessary.

"The SRT has also been ordered to consider dismantling those parts that consist only of iron," he said.

Charupong said the SRT has assigned the Engineering Institute of Thailand to examine the Hopewell structures.

"I have received a report that the SRT had used scaffolding to support some parts of the Hopewell structure [that collapsed], but someone stole iron bars from the scaffolding. The iron scaffolding could not longer shoulder the weight of a concrete beam supporting the structure," the transport minister said.

When the concrete beam crumbled, concrete chunks were scattered over a nearby inbound railway track. Arrangements were made to use an alternate tack, ensuring train service continued uninterrupted even as officials continued to remove debris from the track.

Locals said they rushed to the site after hearing something collapse. The spot is just 100 metres from Samian Naree Temple.

Police suggested that stolen bolts and iron bars within the scaffolding, in addition to a lack of maintenance, might have been responsible for the collapse of the long-neglected structure.

Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the incident.

SRT Governor Yuttana Tapcharoen yesterday said it took about three hours to clear the debris from the affected track, and that it would take about one week to clear all of the debris from the affected area.

"Engineers will be dispatched to determine the extent of the damage to the structure," he said.

Yuttana said the strength of the structure had been checked earlier, prompting the erection of scaffolding to support the concrete beam.

"But recently, thieves stole iron bars from the structure. That's probably why the beam fell," he said.

Initiated during the Chatichai Choonhavan administration, the Hopewell Project was planned as an elevated train route intended to solve Bangkok's traffic problems. SNC-Lavalin was named the concessionaire of the project in a contract signed by the then-transport minister in 1990.

The contract was later reviewed, scrapped and revived, before being permanently abandoned in 1997.

After the government officially cancelled the contract, the concessionaire demanded compensation.

On November 8, 2008, an arbitration panel issued a ruling requiring the Transport Ministry and SRT to pay Bt11.885 billion to the concessionaire, who started construction but never finished it.

Many structures erected as part of the doomed project still stand in Bangkok.

An informed source said the SRT had filed a petition with the Central Administrative Court asking for permission not to pay compensation to the Hopewell concessionaire.

Authorities have been looking into the possibility of integrating some of the unused Hopewell structures into the Red Line train project.

-- The Nation 2012-03-02

[airconsult]

Thanks for the update webfact - that clarifies what I remember - currently SRT does not fully own the Hopewell structures until they either pay the 11 billion odd ruled to Hopewell by arbitration in 2008, or the Central Administrative court reverses the arbitration ruling.

Actually it's remarkably similiar to the motorway compensation issue with a German company. Except that Hopewell did concede and allow some pillars to be demolished around Khlong Tan to allow the airportlink to be completed.

Also it's been reported that when the work stopped, around 135 of the 1,500 odd pillars had not been treated, so have been degrading ever since - the rest of them should be good for 80-100 years more - that's why they are talking about reusing them for the red line or airportlink extension to Don Muang. Here's a link of compiled snippets (interesting to note that it cost 2 million each to demolish the ones around Khlong Tan.

http://2bangkok.com/...pewellmain.html

The question is - will the Administrative court decided to overrule the arbitration process that was agreed between the transport ministry and hopewell way back when it started, or instruct Transport Ministry/SRT that they need to pay up.

Cheers

Edited March 2, 2012 by airconsult

[IAMHERE]

Project 10 - 18% complete. Budget 110% spent.

They don't say when the scaffolding was nicked - any bets on 1999? What an eyesore blighting your country for a decade, surely the (No)Hopewell crowd should have been forced to remove such dangerous structures? Oh, I forgot - budget depleted...

True, the scaffolding was not nicked recently. The difference between last year and this year is the likely damage done to the foundations caused by the floods. More of these will come down as the earth finds its new level. Each time one comes down it'll be a surprise until another 110% of the budget is spent to bring them down in a more orderly fashion probably. Weasel words added to protect myself.

[IAMHERE]

I've always thought of the unfinished expressway as Thailand's version of Stonehenge. Obviously its not going to last nearly as much as the Celtic one.

Is this a 'knock' on cheap Asian copies?

[IAMHERE]

The level of stupidity of some people is not to be underestimated. Remember when they stole bolts from electricity pylons causing one to collapse?

.... As they say in the armoured corp, "one flash and you're ash."

I love the story about the new 'BIG WAVE' warning system down in Phuket. Steal the copper wire, why don'ch ya? TIT, amazing and miraculas at the same time.