Experts to review Mexico highway sinkhole

Mexico's transport ministry (SCT) has commissioned a group of experts comprising academic and chamber representatives to review and report on a sinkhole that opened last week on the recently inaugurated Paso Exprés de Cuernavaca, which left two people dead.

The group includes renowned experts specialized in hydraulic, geotechnical, and structural engineering, and come from the engineering institute of UNAM, and the national and local civil engineering associations, the SCT said in a statement Wednesday.

The analysis on the causes of the incident will be based on the highway's structural behavior and other technical aspects. Representatives from the Morelos state engineer association will work alongside officials from national water authority Conagua to conduct a technical review on the drains running beneath the highway.

Authorities have argued that the sinkhole was the result of the erosion in one of the aforementioned rains, while detractors allege that corruption in awarding contracts allowed substandard construction.

The experts' report is set to be submitted in 15 days.

SCT appoints new delegate for Morelos state

Following the removal of Jose Luis Alarcón as the SCT delegate in Morelos state, amidst accusations that he had ignored warnings from neighbors and local authorities about structural defects on the highway, the ministry has already appointed a new representative.

Hector Castañeda, an engineer and former SCT representative in Oaxaca state, has been appointed as the new delegate.