Giant Steel Casing Erupts from Osaka Roadway, Paralyzing Traffic
An unprecedented event has occurred on Shin-Midosuji in Chayamachi, Kita-ku, Osaka City, where a steel casing, approximately 5 meters in diameter and 30 meters long, unexpectedly erupted about 18 meters from underground. This dramatic uplift is believed to have happened during rainwater pipe construction. The incident took place under the elevated section of Shin-Midosuji, specifically west of the Umeda Center Building, leading to the complete closure of a section of this major arterial road in Osaka and causing massive traffic congestion in the surrounding areas. According to reports, the uplifted casing is a steel pipe used for rainwater pipe construction. High groundwater levels and buoyancy caused by Osaka's soft alluvial ground are cited as potential causes for the eruption. There are also views suggesting that insufficient water injection during construction or flaws in the fixing and backfilling procedures may have contributed to the incident. A detailed investigation into t...