GEORGE TOWN (Oct 29): Damage to a 750-millimetre concrete pipe has been identified as the cause of a sinkhole on Mayang Pasir Highway in Bayan Baru near here, with repair works expected to be completed by Nov 7.

Penang Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari said Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) Sdn Bhd is carrying out repairs in stages to ensure safety at the site.

“The sinkhole has been temporarily covered with a steel plate, and safety measures in the area have been strengthened. IWK is also diverting the water flow and pumping water out of the sinkhole in preparation for the next phase of repairs,” he said in a statement on Thursday night.

He said sheet piling works to stabilise the ground are scheduled to begin on Friday, ahead of excavation works.

The affected road will remain closed until repairs are completed. Motorists have been advised to use alternative routes via Lebuh Mayang Pasir, Jalan Mahsuri and Lorong Mayang Pasir 1.

The sinkhole, measuring about 2.5 metres in diameter and four metres deep, was discovered on Mayang Pasir Highway on Wednesday and is believed to have been caused by damage to IWK's sewerage system.

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Indah Water says repairs to sinkhole along Penang’s Lebuhraya Mayang Pasir to take at least 10 days

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