A brand new road has collapsed just days before opening.
There had been no significant rainfall in the area in the days leading up to the collapse.
Experts believe the provincial highway, which was built on a dried-out riverbed, did not undergo sufficient foundational construction.
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The road collapsed before it was completed and marked on maps, sparking concerns about the quality of the construction that began in 2024.
An expert team visited the new Jiuqu Road in the coastal town of Bo’ao in Qionghai City, located on the Chinese island of Hainan, last week.
A preliminary investigation revealed that the site was built on a dried-up riverbed with a large amount of soft soil and silt deposited underground, resulting in a major geotechnical challenge.
Although the construction team carried out foundation replacement work, it was apparently inadequate and the roadbed exceeded the foundation’s bearing capacity, it is believed.
The authorities have confirmed that they are currently carrying out repair works that will continue until mid-March, as reported by Need To Know.
They have also opened an investigation into the collapse of the dual carriageway.
They said the responsible parties will be held accountable for the costs once the investigation is concluded.
The authorities added that “no leniency will be shown”.
They also announced that they are carrying out a review of all ongoing construction work on soft-soil sites throughout the island.
