Work on stormwater tunnel ahead of schedule



By FARRIS BAHAROM




THE Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel (SMART) is 23% complete.

Drainage and Irrigation Depart-ment (DID) director-general Datuk Keizrul Abdullah announced this recently at a press conference held at the site of the North Drive Tunnel at the former JKR field in Jalan Chan Sow Lin.

He said work was advancing ahead of schedule, and efforts were being made to complete the project ahead of its December 2006 deadline.

He added that no effort was being spared to complete the KL floodwater mitigation measure “as fast as possible”.

SMART will measure a massive 13.2m in diameter, the largest of its kind in South East Asia and one of the top 10 largest in the world, spanning 11km from a holding basin in Kampung Berembang (off Jalan Ampang near Gleneagles Hospital,) to a storage reservoir (a former mining pond) in Taman Desa.




http://metro.thestar.com.my/news/2004/2/p3stormwater.jpg







The structure will include what is believed to be the world’s first underground double-storey motorway measuring 3km long from the Kampung Pandan roundabout to the Jalan Istana interchange . The underground motorway will have entry and exit points linking it to the KL-Seremban Highway, Jalan Sultan Ismail and Jalan Tun Razak.

Keizrul said the use of this section of the tunnel as a motorway made “good economic sense” as weather conditions such as an extended downpour warranting the full use of the tunnel’s capacity only occurred “once every few years”.

Barring those circumstances, this section of the tunnel will remain open to traffic while simultaneously channelling excess water from Sungai Klang and Sungai Ampang below the two-lane traffic decks.

Traffic will only travel one way on each deck.

Keizrul said the motorway tunnel would only be accessible to “regular” traffic to minimise the risks of fire – the largest risk faced in underground motorways.







http://metro.thestar.com.my/news/2004/2/p3keizrul.jpg

Keizrul beside a scale model of a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM).









Studies by the DID found that incidents in other underground motorway tunnels in Europe involved heavy lorries and tankers carrying flammable materials, thus the restriction was placed as a safety measure.

Advance warning from real-time monitors gauging river water level and rainfall will allow for a two-hour window to evacuate the motorway tunnel, a process that requires about 15 minutes to complete.

Once cleared, the diversion gate adjoining Sungai Ampang and Sungai Klang will open, allowing continuous water diversion via a “store and release system” starting at the holding basin.

Floating booms will trap surface debris from entering the tunnel and a curtain wall will trap large sediments and submerged debris.

Sedimentation inside the holding basin will ensure that only the finest sediments will find their way into the tunnel (and through the motorway), a large amount being carried out to the storage reservoir along with the excess water.








http://metro.thestar.com.my/news/2004/2/m_1tunnel.jpg

Workers fixing a seal ring at the North Drive Tunnel site. The first Tunnel Boring Machine will be launched in July.










Water from the reservoir will be released into Sungai Kerayong periodically, or if floodwaters were in excess of SMART’s three million cubic metre total storage capacity.

Once flooding ceases, cleaning will commence with pressurised water, a process expedited by a ceramic, non-absorbent coating on the tunnel walls.

Enzymes applied on the walls will also eliminate odours inside the tunnel.

Water-tightness was another safety issue addressed at the briefing.

Keizrul said proven design and engineering techniques, including technology used in the making of the London Underground subway, had been applied utilising local technology and “world experts” had been consulted to ensure safety.

Ventilation shafts and safety passages along the motorway complete the motorway’s safety features.

The media conference also followed the recent arrival of the first (of two) purpose-made Tunnel Boring Machines (TBM) in Port Klang from supplier Herrenknecht in Germany.

Its launch site in Jalan Chan Sow Lin was currently in the early stages of preparation; a “first base panel” and seal ring were being put in place to receive the massive machine.

Utilising a “slurry shield” the two machines measuring 70m in length, would carve out the stormwater tunnel from the loose alluvium soil (a leftover from the city’s tin mining) and Karstic limestone while simultaneously reinforcing the surface of the tunnel with 50cm-thick pre-cast concrete segments and sealing vacuums with pressure grouting.

Keizrul said the slurry shield created a counter-pressure that prevented the seeping of ground water, effectively eliminating sinkholes on the surface, a problem encountered previously during the construction of the Putra LRT.

He added that to date, tunnel construction utilising the TBMs were the most cost-effective and safe construction method that was widely used around the world, including in Singapore.

The first TBM will be launched from the North Drive Tunnel in July and is scheduled to be completed in June 2006.

The second TBM will arrive in May and will begin tunnelling south in October. Southbound tunnelling is scheduled to end in May 2006.

“The only problems encountered so far are traffic snarls along two diversions on Jalan Sungai Besi,’’ said Keizrul, adding that SMART’s underground motorway “should be open for operation” next year.

No wonder la I can see all this gigantic machine nearby Jalan Chan Sow Lin.

There's lot of activity taking place nearby Jalan Chan Sow Lin, Jalan Cheras and Jalan Peel. All I know next to this SMART Tunnel project is the construction of Kuala Lumpur Cityview. Then in Jalan Peel, there is another construction as well.

This is the area where the supposedly dedicated highway from KL to Putrajaya taking place right?

Originally posted by ZaHiRnYa???

No wonder la I can see all this gigantic machine nearby Jalan Chan Sow Lin.

There's lot of activity taking place nearby Jalan Chan Sow Lin, Jalan Cheras and Jalan Peel. All I know next to this SMART Tunnel project is the construction of Kuala Lumpur Cityview. Then in Jalan Peel, there is another construction as well.

This is the area where the supposedly dedicated highway from KL to Putrajaya taking place right?

yah....aiyoh....you din see the words SMART and their logo on the perimeter fencing meh? :D

They say that SMART is part of the Putrajaya-KL Highway but seeing the plans, it looked like the highway just joined back to the KL-Seremban highway.......dunno their further plans lah..... :?

Originally posted by szehoong

yah....aiyoh....you din see the words SMART and their logo on the perimeter fencing meh? :D

They say that SMART is part of the Putrajaya-KL Highway but seeing the plans, it looked like the highway just joined back to the KL-Seremban highway.......dunno their further plans lah..... :?

Then don't la say something like dedicated KL-Putrajaya highway. So misleading :rant:

Originally posted by ZaHiRnYa???

Then don't la say something like dedicated KL-Putrajaya highway. So misleading :rant:

dunno lah.....these days they like to do things mysteriously! :D

Wow...Very cool! Nice idea on how to manage the flash floods KL always has.....! Can't wait for it to get built....then....can't wait till I can drive inside it! *grin*

(good) construction projects always make me excited :)

Some development news to compliment SMART and around KL......



City Hall plans ponds to contain floods



KUALA LUMPUR: Kuala Lumpur City Hall will spend RM28.5mil to build five ponds to retain excess water during heavy rains before being released back into nearby rivers to overcome flash floods, Federal Territories Minister Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad said.



“The five ponds, which have been gazetted, are among 28 retention ponds which will built by the KL City Hall,'' he said after attending a briefing at the City Hall here yesterday.



The five retention ponds will be built in Setapak Jaya, Air Panas, Kampung Bohol, Jinjang and Kampung Boyan, he said.



“The water from the ponds will then be released into Sungai Bonus,'' Mohd Isa said.



Besides the retention ponds, the “Smart Tunnel” involving the construction of a double-decker underground tunnel is 25% complete. This tunnel will also retain excess water before it is released into rivers.

Mohd Isa said the more than RM1bil “Smart Tunnel” project would help ease excess water flow after a heavy downpour. “With this tunnel, some one billion cubic litres of water can be retained and its flow slowed down.



“This will help reduce the flood problem,” he added.



Mohd Isa also said that to ease traffic congestion here, City Hall was developing the Integrated Transport Infor-mation System. Under the system, moto-rists would be guided by electronic signage to avoid congested roads. The RM300mil project was scheduled for completion next year, Mohd Isa said.

On public transportation in the city, Mohd Isa said LRT stations had been planned for Cheras, Puchong, Jinjang and Taman Tun Dr Ismail.

“The planning is there but it all depends on the Finance Ministry, which has taken over the public transport system,” he added. – Bernama

On public transportation in the city, Mohd Isa said LRT stations had been planned for Cheras, Puchong, Jinjang and Taman Tun Dr Ismail. [/b]



wah cool! I think Damansara also need lah!

why they called that machine Tunnel 'Boring' Machine?? iz it veri boring and car must go veri slow in the tunnel??? :hm: and im sure it is not build for tourist attraction rite~ :naughty: :D

On public transportation in the city, Mohd Isa said LRT stations had been planned for Cheras, Puchong, Jinjang and Taman Tun Dr Ismail. [/b]


Is it for Star or Putra? Or perhaps who knows...maybe for KL Monorail :)

http://www.emedia.com.my/Current_News/NST/Sunday/Features/20040425084920/Article/indexb_html

Long "boring" news :D

From NST

COVER STORY: Safety First in SMART tunnel project
Idros Ismail

Apr 25:
An innovative civil engineering works, the RM2 billion SMART tunnel project is currently under way in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. IDROS ISMAIL looks into the safety aspect of the project in the light of recent events.

THE recent highway collapse in Singapore highlighted the inherent danger in major excavation works, especially in highly built-up areas, given the unpredictable behaviour of soils that are disturbed from their natural state.

While the causes will be investigated, the effects have been dramatic.

A 100-metre stretch of the Nicoll Highway crumbled when its foundations failed. Three bodies, including that of a Malaysian crane driver, have been found while one is still missing, believed trapped under the mangle of earth, machinery and steel that caved in.

Observers were quick to point to the mass rapid transit (MRT) line being constructed adjacent to the collapse.

The wall supporting a 20-metre deep open-cut excavation collapsed when the steel struts propping it buckled, evidence of the huge earth pressure the wall was subjected to.

The situation wasn't helped that the earth underlying the excavation is marine clay. Civil engineers will admit that marine clay is one of the most difficult types of soil to work in, especially when it involves deep excavations.

The Singapore incident only serves to remind us of one of the most fundamental laws of physics ? that for every action, there's a reaction.

Could it be that the huge earth pressure induced by the open-cut excavation was too much to handle by the temporary steel shoring works? Which brings us to the Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel (SMART) project in Kuala Lumpur ? the dual-purpose package that is expected to handle the city's flash flood problem and provide an easier access for motorists from the south directly into KL's Golden Triangle.

The 9.7-kilometre long tunnel, which incorporates three kilometres of double-deck motorway, commenced in January last year and is scheduled for completion in 2006.

So far, 25 per cent of the project has been completed. But the crux of the construction ? the tunnel excavation ? has yet to start. That aspect of the project would be the most challenging for the SMART turnkey contractor, MMCEG-Gamuda JointVenture.

According to the general manager of the consortium, Param Sivalingam, excavation is expected to start sometime late next month when the tunnel-boring machine (TBM) is assembled, tested and commissioned.

Costing a whopping RM200 million and manufactured in Germany, one TBM is currently in an advanced stage of assembly on site at the beginning of Jalan Cheras. It is one of two that would burrow through the entire length of the SMART tunnel.

A massive hole in the ground, measuring 150 metres long, 20 metres wide and 25 metres deep, has been excavated to accommodate the giant moles. This assembly shaft will also be the starting point of the tunnelling.

But the project is only a quarter way into its implementation, much of which has been confined to ancillary works such as retention ponds, drainage channels and above-ground entry and exit roads into the proposed tunnel.

It is inevitable that a project of such a nature and magnitude would raise public concern, especially with regard to the huge assembly shaft for the TBMs for groundwater table will be altered due to the inflow of water into the shaft.

Although the exposed surface of the shaft, including the base, will be grouted with cement to prevent ingress of groundwater, it is almost certain a large amount of water will make its way into the shaft.

Geologists say the lowering of water table in limestone formation will affect the bedrock's stability. And much of KL is underlain by such formation. In fact, the tunnel route is almost entirely underlain by limestone.

So with the attendant risks that go with the construction of the 13.2metre tunnel (almost as tall as a four-storey building) in Kuala Lumpur's limestone rock and alluvial soil, what measures are in place to ensure the safety of people and property? Already the residents of Ixora Apartments in Jalan Tun Razak have cause to be concerned. They have seen sinkholes and widening cracks in the building, and have been jolted by the sounds of blasting works near their residence.

The Drainage and Irrigation Department, the project manager, in a dialogue with the affected residents, has assured residents that safety is paramount and that the project will be halted if it is deemed necessary.

Well and good. But is there any guarantee that more sinkholes would not appear in the foreseeable future? The DID promptly directed an independent geo-technical and structural consultant to investigate the Ixora incident.

The contractor had undertaken immediate remedial works to arrest the problem before the sinkhole could expand and cause more serious effects.

To stabilise the "sink", concrete grout was pumped into the cavity to fill the void caused by the sinkhole.

Geo-technical engineer Dr Gue See-Sew, who has been involved in the investigations of many soil failures in the country, has completed a preliminary study of the sinkhole problem for the DID.

His main task was to check if the sinkhole had affected the building foundations.

"The good news is that the building is founded on micro-piles embedded into bedrock. So the foundation integrity is intact.

"The immediate measure is to drill a hole near the sinkhole to detect the cavity. Cavities, formed over millions of years by dissolution of limestone, are very common under KL's karstic condition.

"Loose soils from above the cavity are dislodged when the groundwater level is lowered due to excavation and collapses into the cavity. The concrete grout will ensure the sinkhole is stabilised," says Gue.

He feels that when the TBM assembly shaft is completely sealed to prevent ingress of water, the groundwater table will stabilise and rise to its normal level, thereby stabilising the areas around the shaft.

He says that the next phase of investigations is the close monitoring of columns, beams and other structural components of the building.

"More instruments to gauge soil movement and markers to monitor ground and building settlement have been installed.

"We are closely observing if there are any depressions in the ground caused by secondary movement of soil into the sinkhole." On residents' concern over the blasting works and the vibrations emanating from it, Gue says that the vibration intensity has been measured and been found to be within the permissible limits set by the authorities.

"The building is about 150 metres from where the blasting works were. As you know, the attenuation decreases with distance," he says.

"The vibration level at the Ixora entrance was 4mm per second, which is far below the allowed limit of 12mm per second. In fact, during blasting, the vibration level on the fifth floor was 0.8mm per second." The resumption of blasting works at the site will only be decided when the authorities are satisfied that it will not affect the safety of the residents, based on Gue's report.

But even as Gue is finalising his preliminary findings, more cases of sinkholes have appeared. The first three weeks of April have seen the occurrence of six numbers of sinkholes of varying sizes in the vicinity of the TBM assembly shaft.

The contractor had, in a dialogue with the affected residents, briefed them that immediate remedial grouting works had been done and assured that the situation would be closley monitored.

As the contractor puts it: "We have to work on the assumption that the problem of sinkholes is linked to the excavation of the shaft. "Even if later we find out it's not our fault, we will attend to any complaints. We have to act as if the problem is ours." Whether that will satisfy the public remains to be seen as the project goes into high gear when the boring really starts.

I do think that nobody realised that the construction of the SMART tunnel and the dedicated KL - Putrajaya highway taken place at the same construction area and both project took place at the same time.

Now part of Jalan Loke Yew nearby UE3 been been narrow from 2 lanes to 1 in order to accomodate the construction of the elevated highway...

Friday, May 14, 2004
Boring on SMART project to start next week
By CHOW HOW BAN
TUNNEL-boring works for the Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel (SMART) project are expected to start next week.

Drainage and Irrigation Department director-general Datuk Keizrul Abdullah said the North Drive Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) would be launched from its site at the former JKR field in Jalan Chan Sow Lin, Kuala Lumpur, next week.

The machine will bore its way towards Kampung Pandan, Desa Pandan up to Kampung Berembang (off Jalan Ampang).

The South Drive TBM, which arrived this month from Germany, will head south towards the TUDM airport and end at Taman Desa.

“It will take us three months to assemble the second machine (south drive TBM),” Keizrul said at a press conference after briefing Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Adenan Satem on the project at its site on Tuesday.

After taking into consideration factors such as site encumbrances, soil condition and construction period, the Government decided to use the “slurry shield” type of TBM, which had been proven to be safe, added Keizrul.

He said they anticipated some sinkholes to appear during the boring works.

However, he maintained that the slurry shield TBM would be able to create a pressured shield with the use of bentonite slurry and air cushion to sustain stability in all ground conditions and thus reduce incidences of sinkholes.

The RM2bil SMART project includes a 9.7km stormwater bypass tunnel, a 3km double-deck motorway within the stormwater tunnel from the Jalan Istana interchange to the Kampung Pandan roundabout, a holding basin in Kampung Berembang and a storage reservoir in Taman Desa, among other features.

The Government project is being carried out through a joint venture between MMC Engineering Group Bhd and Gamuda Bhd with the DID and Malaysian Highway Authority as the executing government agencies.

The project is scheduled for completion in December 2006. Currently, work is a quarter way through.

Once the highway and tunnel are completed, what are they gonna do with the machine?

Keep it in a secure area which can later be opened to visitors for viewing (like a public gallery)? I dun think they will give it back to the manufacturers right?

LRT stations had been planned for Cheras, Puchong, Jinjang and Taman Tun Dr Ismail.
Cool! The TTDI station will help to alleviate the congestion near 1u... Have u seen the jam at that area on weekends? Teruk man! :wallbash: :rant: >( :mad:

How about the proposed LRT to subang? How come that area seems to be neglected once again? Subang is another jam hotspot!

Cool! The TTDI station will help to alleviate the congestion near 1u... Have u seen the jam at that area on weekends? Teruk man! :wallbash: :rant: >( :mad:

How about the proposed LRT to subang? How come that area seems to be neglected once again? Subang is another jam hotspot!

I experienced that before :D. One utama still congested like hell eventhough got so many lanes and parking space. Especially after the expansion :)

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/default.asp

Looks similar to the one they used for the euro tunnel :cool:
http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/news/anouncements/Announcement_02.jpg

TUAH, SMART's first Tunnel Boring Machine, has begun boring on 4 June. Tuah spanning about 70 m in length and weighing a hefty 2500 tonnes will be boring towards the north of the tunnel alignment, ending at the Holding Basin in Kampung Berembang.

The name Tuah was selected through the TBM naming competition launched in March. The competition was extended to SMART staff, Gamuda, MMC and JPS. A total of 94 entries were received and the name Tuah was selected for the first machine by a committee represented by SMART and JPS. The prize money for Tuah will be shared by four participants whose justification for selecting the name Tuah are as follows:

TBM as hero in the project is efficient and skillful, just like the legendary hero Hang Tuah.
Named after a noted Malay warrior known for his strength and bravery.
Named after a Malay warrior Hang Tuah who was SMART, courageous, loyal dependable. According to the Malay epic Hikayat Hang Tuah was a keen explorer who landed in the East and West of the Asian continent. Among others, he successfully delivered the Malacca Sultan's friendly message to China, India, Siam, Persia and even Italy. Tuah literally means luck.

Tuah, the TBM fits perfectly into these definitions due to its importance in the tunneling project . A noteworthy point here is that 95% of the tunneling will be done using the TBM with the rest by way of cut and cover method.

The yet- to- be named second TBM is being assembled in the launch shaft. The second TBM will start boring in August.


UPDATED CONSTRUCTION PICS!
http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/project_progress.asp

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/progress/31July04/31July04Progress01.jpg
http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/progress/31July04/31July04Progress05.jpg
http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/progress/31July04/31July04Progress11.jpg

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/news/anouncements/Announcement_02.jpg
Wow, that "boring" machine is huge! It looks like almost 4-storeys high...

Just wondering, once the tunnel works are completed, where will they store that thing? And it won't be used until there is another tunnel project being proposed, right?

If the machine is going to be left bone idle, why not open up the place where it is kept and make it a tourist attraction (with limited no. of visitor daily, similar to what is being done at the PTT skybridge)?

Now Jalan Tun Razak nearby Bulatan Kampung Pandan cramped like hell. Total jam. :rant: even for motorbike also is a mistake to take that road...

Now Jalan Tun Razak nearby Bulatan Kampung Pandan cramped like hell. Total jam. :rant: even for motorbike also is a mistake to take that road...


yea.....they are in full speed to 'korek' the tunnel entrance there! :D

They closed that entire stretch sometimes at night! :(

Any latest pic? How does the office look like?

Any latest pic? How does the office look like?

Err...what office you referring to actually :?

Progress

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/vid_tuah_breakthru.htm

More information on KL's SMART Tunnel:


The SMART Project Tunnel is about 9.7 km long and has internal diameter of 11.83 m. The SMART integrates both stormwater management and a motorway in the same tunnel.

The Stormwater Management Component comprises of the diversion structure, a holding basin, a bypass tunnel, a storage resevoir and the twin box culvert and an outlet structure. The total storage capacity for SMART system is 3 million m3. The existing ponds at Kg. Berembang and Taman Desa will be utilized as holding basin and storage reservoir.

The motorway will consist of a 3 km double deck structure within bypass tunnel with ingress and egress connection links at both ends of the structure. The ingress and egress connection to the motorway Tunnel Linking KL - Seremban Highway to Jalan Sultan Ismail and Jalan Tun Razak.

The motorway consist of four ventilation and emergency escape shafts at about 1 km intervals and cross passages at 250 m intervals along the motorway tunnel.

A flood detection system and control and surveillance team will be incorporate in the overall SMART system to effectively integrate and manage both stormwater and traffic.

Teh operation of the SMART system works on three principal mode operation based on the relationship between flood discharge at the Sg. Klang / Sg. Ampang confluence and the operations status of the motorway. The river water stages and river discharge will be monitored via hydrological stations along the rivers.

The flood discharge will only be diverted into the bypass tunnel when it exceeds 70 cumecs. For flood discharge between 70 to 150 cumecs, the motorway will still be open to traffic. The motorway will only be closed when the flood discharge exceeds 150 cumecs for the full stormwater operation of the SMART, which is expected once or twice a year.

The reinstatement from stormwater to motorway operation will be initiated when the flood discharge recedes to 70 cumecs. The reinstatement process will take about 4 days and this involves cleaning up and reinstalling all portable equipment to full operation mode.



http://www.llmnet.gov.my/images/SMARTalignment1.png

Can't wait for it to be completed....

I do think that nobody realised that the construction of the SMART tunnel and the dedicated KL - Putrajaya highway taken place at the same construction area and both project took place at the same time.

Now part of Jalan Loke Yew nearby UE3 been been narrow from 2 lanes to 1 in order to accomodate the construction of the elevated highway...

yay! They've completed the beams a few months back and just a few days ago they've put the concrete beams across the road already. So no more traffic jam for that area :banana:

yay! They've completed the beams a few months back and just a few days ago they've put the concrete beams across the road already. So no more traffic jam for that area :banana:

What a great news. Haven't use that road for a long time since the start of the construction...maybe its time to use the road again. Then can check the progress of Fraser Park as well ;)

What a great news. Haven't use that road for a long time since the start of the construction...maybe its time to use the road again. Then can check the progress of Fraser Park as well ;)


You use that road to go where?

You use that road to go where?

Well..I usually use a different road to go back to my house actually. It;s fun and can refresh your mind. Though I only take that road if I'm riding my bike. Loke Yew road then straight to Pandan Indah, masuk MRR II then my house lor. Not that far.

Usually I will use couple of different route going back to my home in a week. Everyday will be different. Unless I am too lazy. :lol:

Well..I usually use a different road to go back to my house actually. It;s fun and can refresh your mind. Though I only take that road if I'm riding my bike. Loke Yew road then straight to Pandan Indah, masuk MRR II then my house lor. Not that far.

Usually I will use couple of different route going back to my home in a week. Everyday will be different. Unless I am too lazy. :lol:


Wah......so interesting :D Yea.....it is good to try out different routes at times cause your journey wouldn't be monotonous ;)

Wah......so interesting :D Yea.....it is good to try out different routes at times cause your journey wouldn't be monotonous ;)

Exactly. :D

Beside can cuci mata a bit :lol:

TUAH ... as seen at the North Junction Box taken on 26 January 2005. The tunnel boring machine which broke through at this location on 11 December, 2004 will resume its journey early February, to cover the remaining Northern portion of the tunnel.

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/news/announcements/Announcement_31Jan05.jpg

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/progress/31January05/31January05Progress02c.jpg

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/progress/31January05/31January05Progress02d.jpg

Summary of Major Construction Activities as of 31 January 2005

At the site for the North Ventilation Shaft (i.e. JKR Field in Jalan Chan Sow Lin/Jalan Cheras) TBM Gemilang is boring towards the South. Lower road deck construction towards the North and the South is in progress.

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/progress/31January05/31January05Progress04a.jpg

Installation of shear connectors from shaft face


http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/progress/31January05/31January05Progress04c.jpg

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/shared_images/top_logo.jpg

tunneling / TBM

The slurry shield tunnel boring machine consists of four main parts.

The first is the Rotary Cutter Head with tungsten pick bits used for excavation of soil and disc cutters used for the excavation of rock.

The second part of the machine is the Bulkhead located immediately behind the Rotary Cutter Head. This is where the pressured bentonite slurry shield is formed to provide stability during the tunnel excavation.

The third part of this machine consists of hydraulic rams, which are used to propel the machine forward and to keep the tunnel in its right alignment.

The fourth and the last main part of the machine is the tunnel lining erector used to install the pre-cast concrete lining of the tunnel.

Other parts complementing the main Special Features are two boogies on rails that house electrical, slurry pumping, ventilation equipment
and cable and pipes.

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/tunneling/initial_boring.jpg

Initial TBM boring.

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/tunneling/boring_advance.jpg

TBM advances ahead.

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/tunneling/installation_segment%20lining.jpg

Installation of segment lining.

The pre-cast concrete linings for the tunnel are transported continuously to the erector by boogies on rails. These linings are then hoisted and placed in the correct position in the tunnel with the help of vacuum pads attached to hydraulics arms. The arms are ex tended to keep the linings in place while the linings are bolted together.

The void between the excavated ground surface and the linings is immediately filled with cement mortar grout under pressurized conditions to ensure all the voids are fully filled.

For SMART, two Slurry Shield machines are used, both starting from the JKR field area in Jalan Chan Sow Lin. The first machine will head North under Jalan Tun Razak and Jalan Desa Pandan before terminating at the pond at Ampang behind
Gleneagles Hospital.

The second machine will head south under the Jalan Chan Sow Lin and the KL-Seremban Highway next to the Sg Besi airfield before terminating at the existing pond in Taman Desa.

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/tunneling/banner_hori01.jpg

SMART SYSTEM

SMART is an acronym for Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel, a project under the Federal Government initiated to alleviate the flooding problem in the city centre of Kuala Lumpur. The project is implemented through a joint venture pact between MMC Berhad and Gamuda Berhad with the Department of Irrigation And Drainage Malaysia and the Malaysian Highway Authority as the executing government agencies.


http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/smart/pic_crosssection.jpg

SPECIAL FEATURE

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/features/Scross_section.jpg

The unique feature of this project is the 3 km double-deck motorway within the stormwater tunnel. The operation of the SMART system works on the three- principle mode of operation based on the flood discharge at the Klang River/ Ampang River confluence and the operation status of the motorway.

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/features/mode1.jpg

The first mode, under normal condition where there is no storm or low rainfall, no flood water will be diverted into the system.Under the second mode, SMART system will be activated and this happens when there is moderate storm.

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/features/mode2.jpg

When the second mode is activated, flood water is diverted into the bypass tunnel in the lower channel of the motorway tunnel and it is important to note, that, up to this stage, the motorway section is still open to traffic.

At the third mode of operation the motorway will be closed to traffic. With extensive and effective monitoring stations, when the third mode of operation is needed, the motorway will be closed to traffic. Sufficient time will be allocated to allow the last vehicle to exit the motorway before the automated water-tight gates are opened to allow flood water to pass through. The motorway will be reopened to traffic within 48 hours after the closure.

Tunnel Safety
Ventilation/ escape shafts at 1km intervals: these powerful air ventilators will constantly renew the air and maintain the air quality within the motorway. To protect the ventilation system during the flooding, the systems consist of a series of shafts each containing an exhaust and fresh air injector. This design enables the fans to be situated outside the SMART tunnel to create a longitudinal flow in the tunnel between the shafts that permits the air in the tunnel to be continuously renewed and to enable extraction of the exhaust fumes. The feature also allows for smoke control in the event of a fire.

Equipped with fire fighting, telecommunication and surveillance equipment at 1 km interval.

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/alignment.jpg

SMART Facts...

WHO: Government of Malaysia – Department of Drainage and Irrigation Malaysia, Malaysian Highway Authority
WHAT: The longest tunnel project in Malaysia. One of its kind dual-purpose tunnel project incorporating stormwater and motorway
WHERE: 9.7 km tunnel spanning across the city centre of Kuala Lumpur
WHEN: Construction began in January 2003, Scheduled completion is December 2006
WHY: First, for flood mitigation, second as a means of reducing traffic congestion between the Southern Gateway and the city centre

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/home/map_alignment4.jpg

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/progress/31March05/31March05Progress02b.jpg

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/progress/31March05/31March05Progress07a.jpg

SMART Project 46 Pct Completed


KUALA LUMPUR, April 18 (Bernama) -- Chief Secretary to the Government, Tan Sri Samsudin Osman is satisfied with the progress of the SMART (Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel) project which is now almost 46 per cent complete.

The project which is expected to be completed at the end of 2006 has progressed by 21 per cent since last year.

Samsuddin said the project which began in Nov 2002 is expected to be completed on schedule.

"We are amazed by this project which is being monitored by the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) and with the sophisticated technology used. Two kilometres of the tunnel for stormwater drainage and highway for vehicles have been completed," he told reporters after a visit to the site here Monday.

A delegation of 60 who came for the visit were given a briefing on the project by DID director-general Datuk Keizrul Abdullah, before being brought to visit the tunnel.

Also accompanying Samsudin were Public Service Department director-general, Tan Sri Jamaluddin Ahmad Damanhuri and director-general of the Occupational Safety and Health Department, Abu Bakar Che Man.

-- BERNAMA

wau!its huge!still a long way to go for completion man

http://www.theedgedaily.com/cms/images/logo_edgeasia.gif
MC teams up with MMC Engineering for SMART project
By Michelle Kuan, 8.43pm

Malaysia Mining Corporation Bhd has teamed up with MMC Engineering Group Bhd to participate as the EPC contractor for the Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel (SMART) project.

In an announcement on Aug 5, MMC said it would have a 30 per cent participating interest in the SMART project while MMC Engineering would have 20 per cent. Another participating company Gamuda Bhd would have the remaining 50 per cent.

MMC and MMC Engineering said they intend to regularise their relationship by entering into a joint venture agreement.

Malaysia Mining Corporation Bhd (MMC), which has teamed up with Gamuda Bhd to pitch for the civil works portion of multi-billion-ringgit North-South rail double tracking project, expects to complete the project within 36 months.

MMC group chief executive Datuk Ismail Shahudin said that in the joint proposal submitted by MMC and Gamuda, they had stated they could complete the civil works within that time frame.

However, he declined to disclose details of the MMC/Gamuda proposal and the estimated cost.

"Our current discussions with the government and KTM Bhd include the parameters of the project and how we can add value to it," he said after the company's AGM on July 18.

According to news reports, MMC and Gamuda had teamed up to pitch for the contarct to build the 339-km northern stretch from Padang Besar to Ipoh and the 297-km Seremban to Johor Bharu stretch for RM14.5 billion.

The Indian Railway Construction Company (Ircon) and China Railway Engineering Corp (CREC) were earlier earmarked to lead two consortiums to build the northern stretch and southern stretch respectively.

They were reported to have bid 50 per cent more than the RM12 billion Malaysia was willing to pay, a wire agency said. Payment for the project would have included barter trade for Malaysian palm oil.

MMC subsidiary MMC Engineering Group Bhd was part of the consortium led by CREC to build the southern stretch. CREC had a 70 per cent stake, while MMC Engineering and DRB-Hicom Bhd had a 15 per cent stake each in the consortium.

However, MMC's proposal with Gamuda involves the holding company itself.

To a question on whether MMC and Gamuda could undertake the project on their own, Ismail said: "We are willing to work with any parties but that is not for us to say as they, the owners (government, KTMB), have the final decision."

Asked why MMC chose Gamuda instead of IJM Bhd, he said MMC was comfortable working with Gamuda.

"We have worked together with Gamuda in the Kuala Lumpur Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel (Smart) project. However, that does not mean we are ignoring our subsidiaries - each with their own forte and specialisation - when their services are required later," he said.

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/progress/30April05/30April05Progress05b.jpg

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/progress/30April05/30April05Progress04e.jpg

Damn...it looks huge man :eek2:

I can't wait to drive thru this tunnel man! :D Sometimes the Jalan Sg. Besi jam is killing me.........this tunnel would be a blessing and seriously......I dun mind paying the toll which I heard it is somewhere around the RM2 mark ........

wuhoo!When can we go through the tunnel?

wuhoo!When can we go through the tunnel?

Not for the time being for sure. Hope they can complete it fast enough. The traffic becoming worst lately due to raining season :ohno:

I hope they’ve adopted a very comprehensive safety and rescue system. Tunnel disasters are terrible nightmares. :runaway:

True as well. Watch National Geography where they show the tunnel disaster in France. So terrible :ohno:

interesting la.. maybe they will use the boring machine for any future metro projects then..

eh, ZaHiRnYa??? u lelaki melayu terakhir meh? .. 'terakhir' for what? ha haa kidding ha..

interesting la.. maybe they will use the boring machine for any future metro projects then..

eh, ZaHiRnYa??? u lelaki melayu terakhir meh? .. 'terakhir' for what? ha haa kidding ha..


Hahhahahaha......lelaki Melayu terakhir! :rofl:


Anyway back to topic: Boring machines are used for Putraline's tunneling as well ;)

no casualties reported for this immensely huge project? while boring away, did they find any archeological artefacts or tin (as in timah not tin kosong) or like those 'invisible' creatures in the X-Files? shud have stg menarik la kan..

anyway, i'm signing off for the weekend.. hope you people have a good rest. here it is getting hotter, like yesterday it was apparent at 45C.. man i m burning jadi daging salai sometime rasanya.. ma'asalama..

GEMILANG ACHIEVES FIRST AND MAJOR MILESTONE…


http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/news/announcements/Announcement_04Jun05a.jpg

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/news/announcements/Announcement_04Jun05b.jpg

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/news/announcements/Announcement_04Jun05c.jpg

SMART’S second tunnel boring machine, Gemilang achieved its first milestone at the South Junction box breakthrough on 4 June, 2005

Gemilang which started boring in August has covered a distance of 1822m and 1067 rings with another 2127m to go before the final breakthrough at the storage reservoir in Taman Desa in the South of the alignment.

The machine will be walked through the shaft for about 89m before it resumes boring works early July, 2005.

SMART is primarily a flood mitigation project with a second objection of providing an alternative traffic dispersal system between the Southern gateway and the city centre. Overall construction progress is at 51%.

SMART will see full completion in December 2006

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/progress/31May05/31May05Progress05a.jpg

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/progress/31May05/31May05Progress05c.jpg

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/progress/30June05/30Jun05Progress06a.jpg

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/news/media-link/Media%20links/Year%2005/July%2005/Halfway_there_on_Focus_(NST.jpg

July 2005

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/progress/31July05/slide0343_image041.jpg


http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/progress/31July05/slide0288_image068.jpg

MOTORWAY RAMPS AT KL-SEREMBAN

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/progress/31July05/slide0289_image071.jpg

MOTORWAY RAMPS AT KG. PANDAN
Rock blasting within Kg Pandan roundabout near completion


http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/progress/31July05/slide0278_image020.jpg

Hope the one in Kampung Pandan can be completed soon....:D

Lane realignment on KL-Seremban Highway
Saturday September 3, 2005



SYARIKAT Mengurus Air Banjir dan Terowong Sdn Bhd, the concessionaire cum contractor for the Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel Project (SMART), has carried out a realignment of lanes at the Seremban-bound stretch of the KL-Seremban Highway in front of the RMAF.

The re-routing took effect from yesterday.

The lanes have been realigned to the left with the number of lanes remaining the same. The new traffic management is to facilitate ongoing work at the motorway section of the SMART project.

For more information. call the SMART hotline at 1300-88-7188.

SMART is a flood mitigation project being implemented by the Government with the Department of Drainage, Malaysia as the main supervising authority. The secondary purpose of the project is to reduce traffic congestion between the KL-Seremban Highway and the city centre. The motorway section of the project is being supervised by the Malaysian Highway Authority. SMART is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2006.

The project is being carried out as a joint venture by MMC Corporation Berhad and Gamuda Berhad.

For details of the project, visit the www.smarttunnel.com.my.

Structural works at MS02 U-section completed

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/progress/31August05/slide0289_image068.jpg

Concreting of upper deck panel ending 675m from North Ventilation Shaft in progress on 30/08/05

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/progress/31August05/slide0281_image032.jpg

Reinforcement for lower deck panel ending 240m from South Ventilation Shaft in progress on 30/08/05


http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/progress/31August05/slide0294_image044.jpg

If this works as well as it's supposed to work, I think it'll be a great engineering marvel! Simple solution to a complex problem!

That's the reason it called smart. :)

http://img373.imageshack.us/img373/5923/45788ul.jpg

http://img373.imageshack.us/img373/6379/783ep.jpg

MOTORWAY RAMPS AT KG. PANDAN
Brick walls and roofing at Jalan Davis Motorway Control Centre in progress

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/progress/30September05/slide0336_image017.jpg

SOUTH JUNCTION BOX
Structural works at Vent Shaft commenced


http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/progress/30September05/slide0349_image035.jpg

MOTORWAY RAMPS AT KL-SEREMBAN
Structural works at MS03 U-section in progress

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/progress/30September05/slide0332_image041.jpg

the last time i passed here early Monday morning i noticed that the Motorway Control Centre at Jalan Davis almot complete..blue roof installed already..
i noticed they installed the frame for the toll booth already..together with the overhead bridge...

Question... This is a tolled tunnel right? If so does anyone know how much the car user is expected to pay for using the tunnel?

interesting problem for this project developing in kampung pandan!the ground is so unstable that they need to do what ever they doing! i remember very well desa pandan
was a big time lombong at one time!this might slow this project a little

interesting problem for this project developing in kampung pandan!the ground is so unstable that they need to do what ever they doing! i remember very well desa pandan
was a big time lombong at one time!this might slow this project a little


yerp..from what i know..most of the ground condition near the Bulatan Kg.Pandan there mostly consist of hard limestone and loose aluvium soil...thats explained why we can see the white colour soil around there after the earth being bored..
the TBM machine will have to sustain the water level during the boring process..thats why the TBM is called a slurry machine.. and at the same time will reinforce the tunnel..
last yr the residents at Ixora apartment lodged few complaints regarding this project becoz cracks start to appear at their unit..

Vent shaft structural works in progress

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/progress/30September05/slide0271_image007.jpg

Road Gate structural works in progress

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/progress/30September05/slide0348_image010.jpg

they're fast!!

thanks for the updates:okay:

Approach slab and pier structural works at piers in progress

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/progress/31October05/slide0270_image016.jpg

Casting of upper deck panel from South Ventilation Shaft started on 9/10/05
and has completed a distance of 86m on 27/10/05

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/progress/31October05/slide0375_image007.jpg

Excavation at Tunnel Intake area in progress

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/progress/31October05/slide0341_image013.jpg

Jalan Tun Razak southbound traffic reinstated on 2 October 2005

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/progress/31October05/slide0365_image025.jpg

another good news guys!! i think they finally started work of linking jalan sultan ismail to the kampung pandan roundabout.kampung brunei is gone

still in the process of moving the people stay stay there i believe..cause can still see houses around the area

TBM TUNNEL – SOUTH DRIVE
Reinforcement for upper deck panel ending 220m from South Ventilation Shaft in progress on 26/11/05

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/progress/30November05/slide0382_image038.jpg

so, that gap between the floor and the place where the workers are stepping is is ventilation shaft?? the steel stilts (or whatever) looks like stools

man it's huge

n smart.

Building services for Jalan Davis Motorway Control Centre in progress.

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/progress/2005-12-31/big/slide0304_image013.jpg

MOTORWAY RAMPS AT KL-SEREMBAN
MS03 U-section completed

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/progress/2005-12-31/big/slide0332_image034.jpg

Walkway bridges for Toll Canopies A and B (Northbound) launched

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/progress/2005-12-31/big/slide0356_image037.jpg

Vent shaft structural works in progress

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/progress/2005-12-31/big/slide0363_image016.jpg

I was so shocked...no longer Kampung Brunei...didnt realised the whole area being demolished already :omg:

But now it look nicer liao :D

ha ha Zahirnya mengapa tak percaya ke!thats my fav short cut berjaya times square but now so many people also using the same way.ha ha saja suka kacau hang!

what u guys are looking at is the holding pond at kampung berembang this is where the tunnel starts! :) http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c224/dengilo/smart.jpg

what u guys are looking at is the holding pond at kampung berembang this is where the tunnel starts! :) http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c224/dengilo/smart.jpg

He.he..this one I can see from my balcony ;)

It is damn huge...

Can also see Plaza Palas on the background. Finally being repainted again, n hopefully both office n residential tower will be occupy soon :D

ha ha Zahirnya mengapa tak percaya ke!thats my fav short cut berjaya times square but now so many people also using the same way.ha ha saja suka kacau hang!

Believe you liao. Been there already...he.he...

Walkway bridges for Toll Canopies A and B (Northbound) launched

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/progress/2005-12-31/big/slide0356_image037.jpg

This I wanna know...why build a walkway bridge in the middle of whole thing?

ha ha Zahirnya mengapa tak percaya ke!thats my fav short cut berjaya times square but now so many people also using the same way.ha ha saja suka kacau hang!
me and my cousin name the short cut as jalan tikus..coz it only take us 7 mins from my place to bkt bintang using the short cut..

ha ha fairul there used to many gov quaters there!is a shame to to see them go!once they complete the sultanismail linkthis place will never be the same!just for the point of interest if there is one market that is really expansive is right around the corner!pasar jalan imbi its called it was moved there from bukit bintang "lot 10" yes guys lot 10 was a market!

he he just for you zahirnya and fairul!http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c224/dengilo/kampungbrunei.jpg :)

Ha.ha..Thank you :D

dengilo..thank you for the photos..susah2 je..

i remember last two years..i pass by kg brunei and there's a wedding ceremony there..and the karaoke session..aiyo..very loud..

dengilo..thank you for the photos..susah2 je..

i remember last two years..i pass by kg brunei and there's a wedding ceremony there..and the karaoke session..aiyo..very loud..

I just realised how big is that area actually. Previously when i pass around it, can only see the house nearby the main road.

actually u right zahirnya i never realised how big the kampung was!iwas wondering how the link is going to be, is it elevated or tunnel all the way to sultan ismail, its a shame it took dbkl so long to get this project going i think they should berjaya times square to pay for it because i see them really benefiting from it!

actually u right zahirnya i never realised how big the kampung was!iwas wondering how the link is going to be, is it elevated or tunnel all the way to sultan ismail, its a shame it took dbkl so long to get this project going i think they should berjaya times square to pay for it because i see them really benefiting from it!

How on earth Times Square going to be benefit from it? I hate la that place except for its Chicken Hartz Buffet :D

this is great news as now there's a direct road from sultan ismail to north-south highway. can't wait for smart tunnel to be completed.

How on earth Times Square going to be benefit from it? I hate la that place except for its Chicken Hartz Buffet :D

Times Square got Hartz meh? so all this time i go to sunway buang masa la since there's one very near my place!! :rant:
thanks for the info..no need to go to sunway after this..

actually when u think of it part of the reason i hate going to berjaya times square is that they have limited way in ie via jalan imbi and the traffic is like big time p--- ma-!
with this link which comes out right next to the vegas club is to their advantage!when i think of it my reason to berjaya square would be borders,print my photo at suria photo,
movies and my fav pau shop on the same level as the monorel station.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c224/dengilo/jkrsignboard.jpg :)

Times Square got Hartz meh? so all this time i go to sunway buang masa la since there's one very near my place!! :rant:
thanks for the info..no need to go to sunway after this..

Yalor..u didnt know meh????? I always go there...4th floor :D

actually when u think of it part of the reason i hate going to berjaya times square is that they have limited way in ie via jalan imbi and the traffic is like big time p--- ma-!
with this link which comes out right next to the vegas club is to their advantage!when i think of it my reason to berjaya square would be borders,print my photo at suria photo,
movies and my fav pau shop on the same level as the monorel station.

Baoz u mean :? my favourite as well :eat:

Did you know that National Geographic has done a documentary on the 9.7 km SMART tunnel connection coz it is the first - double decker underground highway plus floodwater trench - to be built in the world! Another Malaysia Boleh pride. Am not sure when doc appearing on TV though.

cool. can't wait to see that documentary!

Wah...this one I wanna see :D

Any one knows when it will be aired?

still no sign of any ad in channel 52..i bet its for the new season of frontiers of construction...cant wait!!

this is one the project that excites me. engineering at its best - a tunnel with dual functions. hopefully it'll ease the horrible tun razak traffic, and clear the monsoon flood in kl... forever!!

Reinforcement for upper deck panel ending 520m from South Ventilation Shaft in progress on 31/01/06

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/progress/2006-01-31/slide0374_image001.jpg

Vent shaft structural works in progress.

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/progress/2006-01-31/slide0363_image029.jpg

Road works for MS09 completed. Traffic diverted on 26/01/06

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/progress/2006-01-31/slide0288_image049.jpg

External works for Toll Supervision Building in progress

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/progress/2006-01-31/slide0331_image052.jpg

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/progress/2006-01-31/slide0288_image049.jpg

Panas lah..The city is getting hotter day by day and night by night because of the ever expanding highways system in KL. They absorb heat by day and release heat by night....so ppl suffer from heat pollution day and night..sad lah

this is an unfortunate news:

Six-month delay likely in tunnel work (http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/2/21/nation/13455846&sec=nation)

only will complete middle of next year... too long to wait lar!

North ventilation shaft

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/progress/2006-02/slide0367_image028.jpg

Motorway ramps at KL-Seremban

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/progress/2006-02/slide0288_image040.jpg

everything seems to be going on fast and smoothly :okay:

http://agrolink.moa.my/did/drainage/menumaininfo/prgmactivityEng/smart/krtnrntasSMART.jpg

i once reported that they have some problem in kampung pandan!with all the machines on the road not far from desa pandan really causing a jam in the evenings! i can almost imagine when the TBM got there from bulatan kg pandan only there no solid earth to korek ha ha!because it was once a lombong!i think thats delaying that part of the project!

This projects automatically reminds me of Boston's Big Dig

^^ I reckon the Big Dig is a much larger project ;)

It is far more complicated the logistics involved are a nightmare :yes:

What's the clearance, height? It looks so shallow. Can trucks or buses use the tunnel?

^^ I reckon the Big Dig is a much larger project ;)

It is far more complicated the logistics involved are a nightmare :yes:
yes, you're rite. It's on a whole new different scale. took 15 years to complete after much lobbying for Fed funding and total costs a whopping $14.6bil. It's only been recently completed late last year. Boston's pretty much brighter and sunnier now with the aged elevated highway removal in DT area. The cleared area now is replaced with public park and amenities.

Terowong SMART dijangka beroperasi tahun depan

KUALA LUMPUR 20 April - Projek Terowong Jalan dan Pengurusan Air Banjir (SMART) telah siap 78 peratus dan dijangka dapat memulakan operasinya pertengahan tahun depan.

Ketua Pengarah Jabatan Pengairan dan Saliran (JPS), Datuk Keizrul Abdullah berkata, sehingga kini mesin penggerudi kedua, Gemilang yang bertanggungjawab menggerudi terowong SMART sepanjang empat kilometer menghala ke selatan berjaya menyempurnakan tugas hingga ke destinasi terakhir di Taman Desa hari ini.

Bagaimanapun, penantian hampir 100 tetamu termasuk pihak media untuk menyaksikan Gemilang muncul membelah bumi sejak pukul 4 petang `terkubur' begitu sahaja apabila berlaku `masalah teknikal'.

Ekoran masalah tersebut, mesin bernilai RM150 juta itu masih tidak menampakkan `wajahnya' sehingga pukul 7 malam menyebabkan ramai tetamu termasuk Keizrul terpaksa bergegas pulang dengan hampa.

Sebelum itu, pada sidang akhbar, Keizrul memberitahu, Gemilang dipertanggungjawabkan menggerudi terowong SMART menghala ke selatan bermula di Padang Jabatan Kerja Raya, Jalan Chan Sow Lin pada 31 Ogos tahun lalu.

``Gemilang berjaya menggerudi terowong sepanjang 3,968 meter manakala Tuah yang diberi tanggungjawab menggerudi terowong bahagian utara projek, terpaksa menggerudi terowong sepanjang 5.7 kilometer,'' katanya.

Progress as of 31st March 2006

Baffle wall construction in progress.

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/progress/2006-03/slide0010_image005.jpg

Structural works at Junction Box in progress.

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/progress/2006-03/slide0025_image020.jpg

Surface water drains and external work for Jalan Davis Motorway Control Centre completed.

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/progress/2006-03/slide0016_image017.jpg

Concrete pavement works for MS01, MS02 and MS03 completed; MS04 in progress.

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/progress/2006-03/slide0032_image053.jpg

Roofing for the walkway between Toll Booths partially completed.

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/progress/2006-03/slide0033_image056.jpg

External works for Toll Supervision Building in progress.

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/progress/2006-03/slide0035_image059.jpg

by kewlio

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v608/nazrey/41.jpg

Is that a pedestrian bridge at the above picture? What's up with the winding staircase? It is not practical at all unless they don't expect many people to use it.

I do not like all the blue roofing either. It's so damn ugly.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v608/nazrey/41.jpg


Is that a pedestrian bridge at the above picture? What's up with the winding staircase? It is not practical at all unless they don't expect many people to use it.

I do not like all the blue roofing either. It's so damn ugly.




^^ Yes those are pedestrian bridges but they are for the toll operator staff. Those bridges are not meant for public use just like all other toll pedestrian bridges ;)

So yea....they do not expect people to use it.......in fact who wants to cross the Sg. Besi Highway at that point? :D

Is that a pedestrian bridge at the above picture? What's up with the winding staircase? It is not practical at all unless they don't expect many people to use it.

I do not like all the blue roofing either. It's so damn ugly.
Yea you're rite. A gray scheme would look better. Not so noticable fading over time under then sun.

^^ Normally toll operators based their material colours (normally the roof stands out a lot) on their corporate colour ;)

Like Grand Saga which uses bright red, Metramac uses white and blue while PLUS uses green :yes:

^^ Normally toll operators based their material colours (normally the roof stands out a lot) on their corporate colour ;)

Like Grand Saga which uses bright red, Metramac uses white and blue while PLUS uses green :yes:
I like Litrak's one the best. Clean lines, nice simple contemporary design with nice claddings.

All toll plazas look ugly to me as they are all money suckers!!!! :rant:

dah x de yang free

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/progress/2006-04/bg/slide0031_image049.jpg

MOTORWAY RAMPS AT KL-SEREMBAN

http://www.smarttunnel.com.my/images/project/progress/2006-06/bg/slide0156_image045.jpg

I notice the new discovery channel ads has SMART on on it and Its TRUE!!!!

This is from discovery channel asia...


Hsuehshan Tunnel: Premieres on August 28 at 9pm, encores August 29 at 12am, 5am, and 10pm

Malaysia Smart Tunnel: Premieres August 29 at 9pm, encores August 30 at5am, and 10am

Building the Biggest: Underground Singapore airs August 30 9, encores August 31 at 12am, 5am, and 10am

Asia has been the face of unprecedented economic progress that has catalyzed the explosion of massive urban centres. As the world witnesses the dawn of a mighty economic powerhouse, the brightest minds in the engineering field scramble for solutions to oil the gears of these thriving Asian cities.

Taiwan is a nation poised to take on the giants of the global economy but its mountainous landscape makes the transport of vital goods and services both time-consuming and expensive. If the island is to step into a powerful and prosperous future, it will need to unite its rural and urban economies – namely Taipei and the neighbouring coastal region of Ilan – to build roads, tunnels and transport links that will help carry substantial resources and wealth to the rest of the world.

Next, we witness how Kuala Lumpur deals with floods, with an innovative approach that promises not only flood control, but also financial sustainability and a solution to the city’s traffic gridlock. To tackle the devastating floods of Kuala Lumpur, the government is tunneling underneath the city with an unprecedented $525 million storm drain tunnel project. In a radical feat to fund the costly mammoth, a double-decker toll road will be integrated with the tunnel to provide a bypass in and out of the capitol city’s traffic.

Lastly, we follow the developments of Singapore’s new Circle Line. When it is completed in 2010, it will be the longest driverless railway system in the world at 33.3 kilometers.

I notice the new discovery channel ads has SMART on on it and Its TRUE!!!!

This is from discovery channel asia...




Malaysia Smart Tunnel: Premieres August 29 at 9pm, encores August 30 at5am, and 10am



Eh?!?!?!

I also noticed the STORM tunnel clips! But I doubted myself at first. Looks like it is true! :eek:

Anyway I saw the Circle Line documentary the other day and it was awesome! :okay:

Omg..are they going to show footages of kl during flood time too?

Omg..are they going to show footages of kl during flood time too?


Very high possibility of that! :D

^^^ yeah I watched that Circle Line one too.....very interesting. Always looking forward to this kinda documentaries, a refreshing change from western ones.And of course I won't miss the SMART tunnel one......can't wait! My favs on are those like Megastructures, Building Big, We Built This City, Extreme Engineering, Skyscrapers and such.........

^^^ yeah I watched that Circle Line one too.....very interesting. Always looking forward to this kinda documentaries, a refreshing change from western ones.And of course I won't miss the SMART tunnel one......can't wait! My favs on are those like Megastructures, Building Big, We Built This City, Extreme Engineering, Skyscrapers and such.........


Hahaha...your choices seems like mine too! :D

I would sometimes delay or cancel appointments (not so important ones) if I happen to spot one on TV :D

I hope after SMART tunnel is completed; KL will continue to have more tunnels- this time for LRT lines.... overhead tracks take up too much space if long term view is concerned...

Cant wait to navigate KL's underground LRT lines in the near future!! (maybe too much wishful thinking here?) :)

Discovery Channel will air the documentary on the 9.7 km SMART tunnel connection -the first double decker underground highway plus floodwater trench - to be built in the world, on August 29 2006 at 9 pm and there will be a repeat on the following day.


What they WONT AIR is that only cars will be allowed through the tunnel and will be required to pay toll (about RM3.00+), (all those high) lorries, motorbikes are not allowed to use the tunnel.

If motorbikes do use the tunnel on a rainy day, they would have to pay toll when they exit and the same amount applicable for a car would have to be paid by the motorcyclist.

The boring machines reminds me of the movie "the core" hehehe ....

WHAT 3 RINGGIT!!!! ok lets see here i want to escape the gridlock of the golden triangle via the future new jalan sultan ismail link via kampung pandan roundabout
pay 3 ringgit zoom thru the tunnel for 9.7 KM emm may be 5 min later i am at the exit pay the tool only to be caught in another mess heading to the sg besi toll.So u guys tell me if it is good idea to to pay 3 ringgit for that!!

any updates? ^^

KL Smart Tunnel Set To Be Opened To Motorists Soon

January 16, 2007 19:51 PM
SHAH ALAM, Jan 16 (Bernama) -- The Kuala Lumpur Smart Tunnel being built by Gamuda Bhd is set to be opened soon to motorists, says the company's group managing director Datuk Lin Yun Ling.

Described as a world's first for dual use, the Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel (Smart), built to ease flood problems in the city, is expected to be completed and operational by June this year.

The project comprised two parts.

"One part is the motorway tunnel. I visited (it) last week, they are doing the cleaning and touched up work," Lin told reporters after the company's annual general meeting, here Tuesday.

"So we are ready to open it to cars very soon," he said.

Lin said the four-kilometre Smart Motorway, part of the RM2 billion Smart Tunnel project, would be opened to the public once the last stretch of the motorway was completed by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).

"I think DBKL is hurrying (work) on one stretch to connect to Jalan Sultan Ismail, just in front of the Parkroyal Hotel. I think they will complete it by probably middle or end of March. Then, it will be opened to the public," he said.

Another component of the project -- the construction of a 9.7-kilometre tunnel to drain out flood waters -- is due to be completed by June this year.

The underground tunnel measuring 11.8 metres in diameter starts from Kampung Berembang near Gleneagles Hospital in Jalan Ampang at the estuary of the Ampang River and runs underneath various parts of the city before it ends at a storage reservoir in Taman Desa near Jalan Klang Lama.

Upon completion, the Smart Tunnel project is expected to help reduce floods significantly in the city by at least 50 per cent and reduce traffic congestion from the highway to the city.

Motorists using the tunnel will take four minutes to reach the Bukit Bintang shopping district from Sungei Besi compared to more than half an hour, depending on the traffic situation, when using the surface road.

As a safety precaution, only passenger cars will be allowed to use the tunnel while buses, lorries and motorcycles will be prohibited.

-- BERNAMA

the tunnel will be open in early 2007

Terowong SMART dibuka kepada kereta tidak lama lagi

SHAH ALAM 16 Jan. – Terowong Pengurusan Air Banjir dan Jalan Raya (SMART) Kuala Lumpur yang sedang dibina oleh Gamuda Bhd. bersedia untuk dibuka kepada para pemandu tidak lama lagi, kata Pengarah Urusan kumpulan syarikat itu, Datuk Lin Yun Ling.

Disifatkan sebagai yang pertama di dunia bagi dua kegunaan, SMART dibina untuk mengurangkan masalah banjir, dijangka disiapkan dan beroperasi menjelang Jun tahun ini.

Projek itu mengandungi dua bahagian.

“Sebahagian ialah terowong jalan raya kereta. Saya telah melawatnya minggu lepas, mereka sedang membersihkan dan membuat kerja terakhir,” Lin memberitahu pemberita selepas mesyuarat agung tahunan syarikat itu di sini hari ini.

“Jadi kami bersedai untuk membukanya kepada kereta-kereta tidak lama lagi,” katanya.

Yun Ling berkata, ‘Laluan Kereta Smart’ sepanjang empat kilometer, sebahagian daripada projek Terowong Smart berharga RM2 bilion itu, akan dibuka kepada orang ramai sebaik bahagian akhir laluan kereta itu disiapkan oleh Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL).

“Saya fikir DBKL sedang bekerja pantas ke atas satu bahagian untuk menyambungkan ke Jalan Sultan Ismail, di hadapan Hotel Parkroyal. Saya fikir mereka mungkin akan menyiapkannya menjelang pertengahan atau akhir bulan Mac. Kemudian, ia akan dibuka kepada orang ramai,” katanya.

Satu lagi komponen projek itu — pembinaan terowong 9.7 kilometer untuk mengalirkan air banjir — dijadual siap menjelang bulan Jun tahun ini.

Terowong bawah tanah berukuran garis pusat 11.8 meter bermula dari Kampung Berembang dekat Hospital Gleneagles di Jalan Ampang di kuala Sungai Ampang dan melalui d bawah beberapa bahagian bandaraya sebelum ia berakhir di kolam simpanan air di Taman Desa dekat Jalan Klang Lama.

Sebaik siap, projek Terowong Smart dijangka membantu mengurangkan banjir dengan besarnya dalam bandar raya ini sekurang-kurangnya 50 peratus dan mengurangkan kesesakan lalu lintas dari lebuh raya ke bandar raya.

Pemandu-pemandu kereta yang menggunakan terowong itu akan mengambil empat minit untuk sampai ke daerah membeli belah Bukit Bintang dari Sungai Besi berbanding dengan lebih dari setengah jam, bergantung kepada keadaan lalu lintas, apabila menggunakan jalan permukaan biasa.

Sebagai langkah keselamatan, hanya kereta-kereta penumpang akan dibenarkan menggunakan terowong itu manakala bas-bas, lori-lori dan motosikal akan dilarang.

What d toll rate?

What d toll rate?

they said RM3...is it true

RM3.00 confirm ???r..

RM3 is fine with condition if: All posh expensive cars shld be diverted to SMART tunnel and pay 4 it.

the other day..( last month )...saw the team from SMART did a trial run for the toll system....cant wait for it to open...

If i really have to be in a hurry to seremban i rather take the putrajaya highway when its ready!For sure i will bypass the heavy traffic after the sg besi airport!

January 29, 2007 18:23 PM

SMART Tunnel To Open For Traffic In March


KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 29 (Bernama) -- The RM1.9 billion SMART tunnel which serves as an underground passage of floodwater from the city as well as an alternative access to the city from the southern gateway will be opened to traffic end of March, said Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu Monday.

He said the project was already 94 per cent completed and the remaining part of the construction was due to be commissioned in June as scheduled.

"I am happy with the progress of the construction of SMART," he said, adding that the route would shorten travel time to the city centre from Sungai Besi from 30 minutes to merely five minutes.

The opening of the route will be a boon to about 200,000 people who travel daily from Sungai Besi to Kuala Lumpur.

SMART (Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel project) is connected to three roads, namely Jalan Sungai Besi next to the Royal Malaysian Air Force airport, Jalan Sultan Ismail beside Berjaya Time Square and Jalan Tun Razak opposite the RHB complex.

Samy said the tunnel would be able to prevent flooding in Kuala Lumpur during heavy downpour as overflowing water from Sungai Klang at Kampung Berembang would be diverted to a holding pond in Taman Desa before being channelled to Sungai Kerayong.

SMART is a unique and innovative project and one of its kind in the world as it serves a dual function - 11km of underground water passage and 4km of traffic conduit, he said.

"The Discovery Channel had shown a documentary on the project in its Extreme Engineering series last year which was broadcast all over the world," he said, adding that the water passage was financed by the government while Syarikat Konsesi SMART Sdn Bhd bore the cost of the traffic tunnel.

-- BERNAMA

my guess..it will create a massive jam infront of RHB building...conflict of traffic there...

Fairul Thats a no brainerlah it such narrow part of jalan tun razak and what make me sakit hati if your local u can anticipate lah which lane to take just imaginelah from the RHB tak sampai 400 meters u have to decide up the flyover to sg besi or the tunnel or the putrajaya highway on off course we all know how hopeless they are with good signboards.Something that is suppose to make it better will be our worst nightmare come thru thanks to all the bijak pandai sitting their ass in ac offices making stupid decisions!!!!

Fairul Thats a no brainerlah it such narrow part of jalan tun razak and what make me sakit hati if your local u can anticipate lah which lane to take just imaginelah from the RHB tak sampai 400 meters u have to decide up the flyover to sg besi or the tunnel or the putrajaya highway on off course we all know how hopeless they are with good signboards.Something that is suppose to make it better will be our worst nightmare come thru thanks to all the bijak pandai sitting their ass in ac offices making stupid decisions!!!!


after reading ur post 3 times..only then i can understand what ur trying to say here..jeheheh:lol: ..we'll see in March...

i think its less than 400m..its more like 200m i guess...i would like to see the traffic from the tunnel merging with the existing traffic from sg besi...heheeh..that would be a nightmare i guess...

Cabinet to get proposed toll rate for SMART motorway

By Hamisah Hamid
hamisahhamid@btimes.com.my

http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BT/Tuesday/Nation/BT606325.txt/Article/Current_News/BT/Images/btgrap/smart30.jpg


January 30 2007


THE Works Ministry will submit the proposed toll rate for the motorway tunnel of the Kuala Lumpur Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel (SMART) to the Cabinet in two weeks' time.

Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said the Cabinet paper will list out, among others, the construction cost of the tunnel, the borrowings involved, payments to contractors, maintenance cost and the company's financial situation.


"We will put in the suggested rate (in the Cabinet paper)," he told a news conference after visiting the SMART motorway in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.


The RM1.93 billion project is built by Syarikat Mengurus Air Banjir dan Terowong Sdn Bhd (SMART) - a 50:50 joint venture between MMC Corp Bhd (MMC) and Gamuda Bhd.


From the total, RM1.3 billion is borne by the Government for construction of the stormwater tunnel for flood mitigation. The remaining RM633 million is borne by SMART, who is also the toll concessionaire for the motorway.


Samy Vellu said the project is now 94 per cent completed.


The 6km double-deck motorway will be open for traffic by end of March this year, while the stormwater tunnel is expected to be ready by June.


According to the minister, there will be one-month free ride on the motorway starting March 30.


On whether the toll for SMART motorway will be the most expensive in Malaysia, he said it is a matter of taking into consideration the amount of money spent, the payback period and its importance as a travel route.


"But it is not a North-South Expressway rate. This is a special rate," he added.


Meanwhile, Gamuda executive director Datuk Azmi Mat Nor said the toll concession of the SMART motorway is expected to contribute positively to the company's financial performance in the long term.


"Like other highways, the traffic is expected to be slow for the first few years, then it will build up. It depends on traffic. It will take time," he said.


Azmi said while looking out for more projects abroad, the company is also studying opportunities for tunnel construction in other parts of Malaysia.


The SMART motorway, which is only accessible to cars due to the 2m high tunnel, is expected to reduce the travelling time between Sg Besi and the city centre from 30 minutes to five minutes.


It offers a direct, alternative access to the city centre for some 200,000 vehicles that currently travel daily from Sg Besi to the city centre.


The upper deck of the motorway tunnel is for for south-bound traffic, while the lower deck is for city-bound traffic.

Cadangan tambah projek Smart


GAMUDA Bhd, yang menjalin usaha sama dengan MMC Corporation Bhd membina Pengurusan Arus Deras dan Terowong Jalan Raya (Smart) dwi-kegunaan, mungkin mengemukakan cadangan kepada kerajaan untuk membina projek serupa di kawasan lain di Malaysia.




Smart Sdn Bhd, konsortium menguruskan projek Smart Kuala Lumpur, dimiliki secara 50:50 oleh Gamuda dan MMC.

Pengarah Eksekutif Smart, Datuk Azmi Mat Nor, berkata syarikat masih mengkaji prospek menjalankan (projek Smart) di kawasan lain di Malaysia dan negara asing.

Beliau berkata demikian kepada pemberita selepas lawatan media ke laluan kenderaan Smart di Kuala Lumpur, semalam.

Sementara itu, Menteri Kerja Raya, Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu, yang melawat projek berkenaan sebelum itu, berkata kerajaan sedia mempertimbangkan cadangan membina Smart di kawasan lain di negara ini, jika masa dan keadaan memerlukan.

Mengulas mengenai pendapatan daripada projek itu, Azmi berkata syarikat menjangkakan beberapa kesan positif, dan pada masa sama sedia maklum bahawa perniagaan tol adalah perniagaan jangka masa panjang.

“Seperti lebuh raya lain, dalam tempoh beberapa tahun pertama, jumlah lalu lintas tidak akan tinggi. Ia bergantung kepada lalu lintas,” katanya.

Laluan Kenderaan Smart adalah sebahagian projek Smart bernilai RM1.9 bilion, yang mengandungi terowong jalan raya sepanjang enam kilometer, iaitu terowong laluan jalan yang hanya digunakan apabila tebatan banjir tidak beroperasi.

Ia adalah jalan alternatif digunakan pengguna jalan raya untuk ke pusat bandar raya dari Jalan Sungai Besi dan sebaliknya, membolehkan tempoh perjalanan dikurangkan dari 30 kepada lima minit

Panjang lebuh raya bawah tanah tu berapa km ?

Fairul Thats a no brainerlah it such narrow part of jalan tun razak and what make me sakit hati if your local u can anticipate lah which lane to take just imaginelah from the RHB tak sampai 400 meters u have to decide up the flyover to sg besi or the tunnel or the putrajaya highway on off course we all know how hopeless they are with good signboards.Something that is suppose to make it better will be our worst nightmare come thru thanks to all the bijak pandai sitting their ass in ac offices making stupid decisions!!!!


Just like in parts of KESAS and in many many other highways in Malaysia, we would see "Putrajaya" or "KLIA" on all the signboards because all 3 highways also leads to those 2 places. They need to replace those smart people whom are in-charge of signages and to put better signs. Having multiple roads are good only if they do not confuse motorists and if they do not charge toll. What is the use of a traffic diversion plan if no one uses because of hefty tolls? Just like the New Pantai Expressway......good alignment but no one uses because of its exorbitant toll! :ohno:

Look like the city folks here will have to pay & enjoy the jamned!:bash:

i got a weird question here: what are those holes on the tunnel wall for??

Something that is suppose to make it better will be our worst nightmare come thru thanks to all the bijak pandai sitting their ass in ac offices making stupid decisions!!!!

Whose's care they r making idiot decision? We care, so what? They ll say to you... "If you dont want to pay it, dont use it. Your govt. ll compensate us. No big deal, k!" :bash:

Yikes only in malaysia if u dont make money when u operate a highway u will be compensated eemm interesting way of doing business ha ha ha

If you look into the amount of money to compensate these concessionaires yearly, i would rather not to privatise these highways because malaysians still cant afford to pay. It is better the govt. use the money to build first and then after, they privatised the highway for maintenance and upgrading at lower toll fees.

If you look into the amount of money to compensate these concessionaires yearly, i would rather not to privatise these highways because malaysians still cant afford to pay. It is better the govt. use the money to build first and then after, they privatised the highway for maintenance and upgrading at lower toll fees.

And how much actually the yearly compensation money is?

I doubt it is cost as much as money required to build the highway.

And how much actually the yearly compensation money is?

I doubt it is cost as much as money required to build the highway.

Samy tell us its about RM200millions yearly to compensate 5 operators in kl. The amount totalled in 5 yrs still would not enough to build the 5 highways. Lets not forget Samy did not tell you exactly how much the govt. gives tax exemption, penalties and profit sharing with the highway operators over a certain period. You never know unless the govt. stop giving excuse..."Its P&C".

Takes LDP for example, the actual rate would be RM2.10 according to medias, and govt. has to subsidy 0.50cent from current RM1.60.

Now, the question is not how much they subsidised, the question is how they come out with RM2.10 rate? What's sort of methodology, formulas and traffic estimation ll justified the asking price? Nobody knows because its P&C.

Ok, now that the tunnels are completed. Anyone know what are they going to do with the TBMs? I watched the Discovery Channel show awhile back and it showed that the TBMs dug away from each other. Is there a possibility that these will be used again for another tunnel project?

Ok, now that the tunnels are completed. Anyone know what are they going to do with the TBMs? I watched the Discovery Channel show awhile back and it showed that the TBMs dug away from each other. Is there a possibility that these will be used again for another tunnel project?

yeah...those TBMs..Tuah and Gemilang....watever happen to them? maybe dismantle and send back to the manufacturer perhaps?

Saya ingat ahh ini TBM they just going to leave underground bila sudah siap ohh mau kasi bukak manyak mahal ohh:nuts:

the tbms, maybe they will use them for the new Damansara Cheras line?

I just cant see a way to build this line as elevated through the city centre.

Cheers, m

^^ Yeah, they can make good use of them for our new LRT lines.

if the diameter for the new intended project is the same..maybe can recycle the SMART tunnel TBM...but then..the diameter for the smart tunnel is way to big i suppose..

Yes, they shld consider retaining the tunneling expertise and equipment for the LRT projects. :yes:

i think the TBM for SMART is one of the largest in the world right?? since it has 3 tiers.

so, selling it the LRT projects, we'll get 3 tierd LRT's?? cool ha ha....

Smart Tunnel toll-free for 1 month

12 February, 2007

KUALA LUMPUR: Motorists will have a one month toll-free ride along the newly constructed Smart Tunnel in the city centre. The tunnel is expected to open by end of next month, said Drainage and Irrigation department director-general Datuk Keizrul Abdullah.

"The move is to get motorists to use the new route that runs under the city," he said after inspecting the tunnel yesterday.

The world’s first two-in-one RM1.93 billion tunnel provides an alternative for motorists to escape the infamous Jalan Tun Razak jams to go south, and for those from Seremban to the city centre.

http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/nst/Sunday/National/20070211104346/tunnel.JPG

Motorists using the tunnel will also be able to avoid congestion in Jalan Sg Besi.

The Smart Tunnel — Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel — was built to channel excess floodwaters away from the city.

The excess water will first be diverted to a holding pond in Kg Berembang, Ampang. It will then be channelled to the 9.7km stormwater tunnel.

From here, the excess water will be transferred to a storage pond, which is a disused mining pool in Taman Desa, before being released into the river downstream.

On toll charges, Keizrul said Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu will make an announcement soon.

"This is an alternative route. There are existing roads and we are building it under existing roads. If motorists want to reach their destination faster, they will have to pay for the service."

He said before the official opening of the tunnel, a run will be held on March 11 under the streets of Kuala Lumpur.

"Those who do not want to run can walk to feel the environment at the tunnel," he said.

At present, the test run is being carried out on safety features such as the ventilation system and closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera.

He said the flash flood system would be in place by end of June, enabling the tunnel to function effectively during a flash flood.

i think the TBM for SMART is one of the largest in the world right?? since it has 3 tiers.

so, selling it the LRT projects, we'll get 3 tierd LRT's?? cool ha ha....they are saying that the road tiers are only 2m high. There are two road tunnels. Add them plus the road space in between (1m?) that makes 5 m.

How big would the water tunnel be? 2m as well?

That would be 8 m total...

2 m high northbound tier + 1m tier +2m high southbound tier + 1m tier +2m high water tunnel.....

is that too large for an LRT? Definitely...what if they have only one tunnel and both directions stacked up like in Bangkok? 4m space on each level....Crazzzzy idea?

Also here is a question...since the tunnel is very large from the holding pond down through to Sg. Besi...what happens to all that water when it gets to Sg. Besi? Will there be a backup, or backflow of the water even during regular operation?

Cheers, m

Also here is a question...since the tunnel is very large from the holding pond down through to Sg. Besi...what happens to all that water when it gets to Sg. Besi? Will there be a backup, or backflow of the water even during regular operation?

Cheers, m


Near Sg. Besi there is another holding pond which is located at Taman Desa. If in the event that the holding pond are full, it would overflow to Sg. Kerayong which would eventually joint with Klang River somewhere in the middle of Old Klang Road ;)

Any idea where the TBM would be at this point ? i know they had so much problem in the kampung pandan area!The land in that area is so unstable!The holding pond at kampung berembang is almost ready i think!

Near Sg. Besi there is another holding pond which is located at Taman Desa. If in the event that the holding pond are full, it would overflow to Sg. Kerayong which would eventually joint with Klang River somewhere in the middle of Old Klang Road ;)interesting...because ever since I have heard about this project Ive wondered how large the water tunnel alone is....

perhaps it is full size (lets assumes 8m) from the Klang River but at some point the tunnel becomes smaller due to the decks for the cars between

So that water....will back up...during a storm...before they manage to open the road tunnel to the water...

But, overall it is an interesting project, and I would definitely like to see what happens when it is fully used.

Will definitely be using the tunnel during the trial period...

Cheers, m

So that water....will back up...during a storm...before they manage to open the road tunnel to the water...



I am sure a signal will be triggered in the control room to evacuate the tunnel completely and close the flood gate way before the water level in drain tunnel reaches its maximum.

'Smart project' toll to start at RM2

Andrew Ong
Feb 28, 07 5:12pm
Motorists will pay RM2 in toll charge to use the Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel (Smart) from Sungai Besi to Kuala Lumpur when it opens this year and RM7 by 2030, according to details of the concession agreement.

I am sure a signal will be triggered in the control room to evacuate the tunnel completely and close the flood gate way before the water level in drain tunnel reaches its maximum.
yeah, you are probably right....rainstorms in M'sia...happen so fast, a rush of water coming down...

I saw the river swell at Masjid Jamek one time, from the regular to the high level...it was like what you see in movies with a rushing wall of water....

cheers, m

I've just watched the STORM programme from Discovery Channel. Those TBM's are just huge.

anyone knows when is the official opening of this tunnel?

I suspect it will be sometime end of this month!!Because the contractors are rushing to finish the sultan ismail link!!

Any idea where the TBM would be at this point ? i know they had so much problem in the kampung pandan area!The land in that area is so unstable!The holding pond at kampung berembang is almost ready i think!

Heard that the TBMs would have been dismantled by now ;)

Yea....Kampung Pandan used to be a huge mining area.......that is why the area isn't stable. :yes:

SMART Tunnel Not For Heavy Vehicles And Motorbikes


KUALA LUMPUR, March 5 (Bernama) -- Heavy vehicles and motorcycles will be barred from using the soon-to be completed SMART (Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel) tunnel for safety reasons.

SMART director Datuk Azmi Mat Nor said when operational, the tunnel that is expected to ease congestion along Jalan Tun Razak and Jalan Sungai Besi will only be for light vehicles.

"We expect between 20,000 and 30,000 vehicles will use the SMART tunnel in its first month of operation as it is an alternative route for motorists entering and exiting the city centre," he told reporters here Monday.

He added the 6km motorway tunnel will be ready this month and that its opening will depend on the Works Ministry while the 10km stormwater tunnel will be ready in June.

"We will send a report to the Drainage and Irrigation Department (JPS) and the Works Ministry before the end of this month so that a date can be set for its opening, " Azmi said when briefing Federal Territories Minister Datuk Zulhasnan Rafique here.

Work on the RM1.922 billion project started in 2003 aimed at alleviating flash floods. It comprise a 10 km stormwater tunnel and a double-storey motorway tunnel.

The stormwater tunnel that started at Kampung Berembang in Ampang will drain water from Sungai Ampang and Sungai Klang to the retention pond in Taman Desa while the motorway tunnel will help reduce traffic congestion from Kampung Pandan until the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) base in Sungai Besi.

Zulhasnan was confident that flash floods will be overcome once the SMART tunnel and two other similar projects were completed.

He added two other stormwater projects were being planned to drain water from Sungai Gombak to the Batu retention pond and water from Sungai Kroh to be drained to the pond in Jinjang.

"The two projects by JPS will be using the same methods for the SMART project except that there will be no motorway tunnel as they are meant for stormwater management to resolve the flash flood problem in the Klang Valley," he added.

-- BERNAMA

30,000 to use tunnel in first month
06 Mar 2007



KUALA LUMPUR: The Smart Tunnel will see 30,000 vehicles travelling its length when it begins operations this month.

Smart (Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel) Project director Datuk Azmi Mat Nor said this was the estimation for the first month as it would be toll-free during this period.

He said the permanent ban on heavy vehicles and motorcycles would ensure smooth flow of traffic round-the-clock.

"The ban is also to make sure there are no breakdowns and accidents in the tunnels."



Azmi was speaking after federal territories Minister Datuk Zulhasnan Rafique visited the project site yesterday before the official run on March 9.

The 3km motorway makes up part of a 9.7km water tunnel designed to channel water away from the city, reducing the risk of a flood.

The part where the motorway meets the water tunnel is the world’s first two-in-one tunnel.

http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/nst/Tuesday/National/20070306091907/tunnel.JPG

In this area, water is channelled into a lower deck while the middle and upper decks are for motorists.

If need be, the two decks for vehicles can also be flooded to channel water.

The RM1.93 billion tunnel provides an alternative for motorists to escape the Jalan Tun Razak traffic congestion.

It is estimated that 200,000 vehicles travel the road above the tunnel daily.

Zulhasnan said about 96 per cent of the tunnel had been completed and that test runs were being carried out on the tunnel’s safety features.

He said a flash-flood system will be in place by the end of June, enabling the tunnel to function during a flash flood.

He said the Drainage and Irrigation Department and City Hall were also creating more retention ponds and canals in Gombak and its surroundings to reduce flash floods.

"We hope to have fewer incidences of flash floods once the projects are completed," he added.

They said the same thing for other highways - no heavy vehicles & motorbikes but still lorries and bikers keep using them. I think the authorities shd look closely into this matter.

:banana: Hey guys i heard on the radio this morning that on the 11th of this month its open to the public for look see!I dont have more info, if you guys do please let everybody know.If thats the case i would love to take a look at it before they open it to traffic.:nuts:

Larian Terowong SMART
Larian ini akan dirasmikan oleh YAB Perdana Menteri. Semua dijemput hadir bagi menyertai larian ini yang sekaligus akan memeriahkan lagi larian ini
Tarikh : 11 Mac 2007 (Ahad)
Tempat mula/tamat : Berhampiran Pejabat Urusan Syarikat Mengurus Air Banjir dan Terowong Sdn. Bhd Jalan Davis off Jalan Tun Razak)
Kepada semua dijemput menyertai acara ini bagi kategori yang dipertandingkan. Borang penyertaan boleh diperolehi seperti di bawah atau di pejabat Persatuan Olahraga Amatur Wilayah Persekutuan (POAWP). Alamat seperti tertera dalam borang penyertaan.
Untuk keterangan lanjut, sila hubungi urusetia (JPS)

Ahmad Tarmizi bin Mat Taib (03-2697 2529)
Md Ali Nizan bin Ramli (03-2697 2514)
POAWP (03-27152843)

Borang Penyertaan
Maklumat Program
Route Larian
Overview of SMART Project

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/3/7/central/17052819&sec=central

Tunnel all set for a month’s trial

By LISA GOH
Photos By SAM THAM

ABOUT 20,000 to 30,000 motorists are expected to use the Smart tunnel daily when it is open for a one-month trial, said Smart (Stormwater Management And Road Tunnel) project director Datuk Azmi Mat Nor.

“Currently, about 200,000 vehicles use the Sungei Besi highway and we are only forecasting the number of motorists who will use the tunnel.

“Only Class 1 vehicles are allowed to use the tunnel,” he said after visiting the site with Federal Territories Minister Datuk Zulhasnan Rafique.


Nearing completion: Workers putting the final touches to the Smart tunnel.
The maximum height of the motorway is 2m and the speed limit is 60kmph.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2007/3/7/central/04smart.jpg

The 6km double-deck tunnel would be fully completed by the end of the month while the storm water tunnel would only be completed in June.

Azmi said it would be up to the Drainage and Irrigation Department and the Works Ministry to officially open the tunnel.

The upper deck of the motorway tunnel is for southbound traffic, while the lower deck is for city-bound traffic.

Among the safety features of the tunnels are cross passages every 250m, a shaft that reaches the surface of the ground every 1km, heat and carbon monoxide detectors and over 200 cameras

http://www.bernama.com.my/
March 07, 2007 18:50 PM

SMART Tunnel Quake Resistant


KUALA LUMPUR, March 7 (Bernama) -- The Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel (SMART) has been built to withstand earthquakes although Malaysia is free of the natural disaster, Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) Director-General Datuk Ir Keizrul Abdullah said Wednesday.

He said the quake-resistant features were included in the design of the tunnel although it was originally felt unnecessary.

Keizrul gave the assurance that the RM2-billion tunnel was safe, saying that in the event of an earthquake, people in the tunnel would be safer than those in buildings.

"We have built the tunnel in a circular shape, a design that is able to absorb and diffuse pressure that comes from any direction," he told reporters after the pre-launch of the SMART Tunnel Run in conjunction with the DID's 75th anniversary, at the SMART office here.

He said geological data gathered after several natural disasters and earthquakes from the time of the tsunami of December 2004 showed that the tunnel was unaffected.

Keizrul led a group of reporters on an hour-long inspection of the safety aspects in the tunnel, which is a twin system consisting of a stormwater channel and a double-deck motorway.

The three-level tunnel, which has been built 20 feet into the earth, has water-tight gates which are operated by a hydraulic system.

More than 200 safety cameras have been installed, including in water-proof casing, specially to monitor the flow of storm water.

The motorway is one-way on each deck, thus negating the possibility of head-on collisions, and has three powerful air ventilators that renew the air and maintain air quality.

Keizrul said the tunnel was also equipped with an electronic system of monitoring traffic and detecting any problem due to an accident or stalled vehicle.

On the SMART Tunnel Run, to be held on March 11, he said 3,000 people had confirmed their participation. Following the run, he said, people would be given a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity to walk in the tunnel before it is opened for use.

On another matter, Keizrul said the DID had plans to make prime land out of riverbanks. He said the effort started several years ago with the cleaning of rivers in the country.

Subsequently, the riverbanks would be turned into attractive places so that their real estate value would rise.

"The effort to develop riverbanks will be started with the identification of riverbanks in each state suitable for the pilot project," he said.

Keizrul said Malaysians had regarded rivers as places to discard rubbish and the riverbanks did not appreciate in value.

"We want to change that perception and make riverbanks prime land as in Japan and European countries," he said.

-- BERNAMA

^^ Great project. Good for KL!

Smart tunnel can withstand quakes

KUALA LUMPUR: The RM1.6bil Smart tunnel will not be affected by earthquakes or tremors.

Drainage and Irrigation Department director-general Datuk Keizrul Abdullah said this was because the tunnel was built underground and was in a circular shape.

“The tunnel’s circular shape will enable it to withstand forces from any direction,” he said.

He also explained that this was because earthquakes would only cause tremors on the surface and affect high-rise buildings.

“After the tsunami, we did a thorough check on the tunnel and we made sure that it would not be affected by earthquakes,” said Keizrul at the pre-launch of the Smart Tunnel Run here yesterday.

About 2,000 participants are expected to take part in the 16km run, which includes a 4.1km stretch outside the tunnel. The run will start at the Smart management office at Jalan Davis, off Jalan Tun Razak. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi will flag off the run at 7.30am on March 11.

Keizrul said it would also be a chance for the public to visit the tunnel before it is opened to traffic.

He said visitors could walk in the tunnel from 10am to 1pm.

“There will also be a carnival, cash prizes and lucky draws,” he said.

The winner for every category will receive RM1,800 cash while the first 150 runners to complete the run will receive medals.

-edit-

Toll Rate For SMART Tunnel Expected End Of This Month


KUALA LUMPUR, March 12 (Bernama) -- The working paper on the proposed toll rate for the SMART tunnel will be presented to the Cabinet in two weeks' time for a decision, Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said.

He said the working paper on the toll rate for the RM650 million Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel (SMART) had been forwarded to the relevant agencies under the Works Ministry and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment for further feedback.

At the SMART Tunnel Run 2007 in conjunction with the 75th Anniversary of the Drainage and Irrigation Department yesterday, Natural Resource and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Azmi Khalid had said that the tunnel would be open to the public on April 7. However, Samy Vellu said the matter had not been finalised.

Samy also confirmed that the public could use the tunnel free of charge for a month when it is opened on a date to be announced later.

The SMART tunnel was constructed to ease the flood problems in the federal capital and to reduce traffic congestion especially at the main entry points into the city such as Jalan Sungai Besi.

The overall length of the tunnel is 9.7 kilometres with two levels of traffic lanes measuring 3.3km. Heavy vehicles, buses and motorcycles are prohibited from using the tunnel.

-- BERNAMA

Smart Tunnel to open to public in 3 weeks' time


April 4 2007


THE highway in the Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel (Smart) project will be open to motorists in three weeks' time.



Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said the 9.7-km tunnel built at a cost of RM1.9 billion was originally scheduled to be opened on April 9, but the date had to be deferred due to unavoidable circumstances.

He, however, declined to disclose what they were.

“In two or three weeks' time, the tunnel will be open to traffic,” he told reporters in Alor Gajah when asked about the latest development on the project.

Samy Vellu recently said the Smart tunnel would be open to the public for free for a month. - Bernama

Champion excuse for delay... today the road was jammed like hell!
Hope the date for the opening of this so called "SMART" tunnel wont be on end of April...2008...

HAHA..... SMART tunnel but "NUT' planning & management!

Opening of SMART tunnel to reduce flood risks and traffic jams
By BAVANI M.
Photos by SAMUEL ONG
Monday April 16, 2007
TheStar (http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/4/16/central/17446085&sec=central)

http://www.thestar.com.my/archives/2007/4/16/central/m_02alignment.jpg

In April and October of 2001, and again in June 2003, massive floods in Kuala Lumpur caused serious damage. It was apparent that the rivers flowing through the city were unable to hold the water and space constraints did not permit river improvement work. It was then that the storm water management and road tunnel project (SMART) was offered as a solution to end flooding in the capital city. More than three years have gone by since construction began and the highway is due to open at the end of this month. STAR METRO gains an insight into the workings of this RM1.9bil tunnel.

Rapid KL tweaks Bandar Tun Razak routes (http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/4/13/central/17414571&sec=central)

According to the content of the article, rapidKL is making significant changes in the BTR and Cheras bus services.

the trunk buses will now pass through the LRT/City Shuttle hub at Maluri LRT station and continue on to Jalan Bukit Bintang. The purpose is to allow reduced numbers of transfers and, I suppose, encourage more users.

I suppose that this will mean two different types of buses (BXXX city shuttles and UXX trunk buses) running the same routes inside KL....

It also means that rapidKL is listening to feedback about their bus system...with the trunk buses operating this new way...there is a connection to LRT (Maluri), monorail (Bukit Bintang) and a major part of the city centre (Bukit Bintang)...and this is good...and there are less transfers...which is also good...

I think that this is happening because of the connections being built around the Kg. Pandan roundabout, including the highway with direct connection to Jalan Sultan Ismail...direct service for rapidKL is a good thing also.

Ok, keep an eye out on April 21 and see what happens

Cheers, m

Its a good thing they delay the opening of the tunnel!!They know it would be bukit bintang area worst nightmare come thru!!The number of cars entering the area via the tunnel would triple!!Free ma !I see them doing a lot of work along jalan imbi and jalan raja chulan in anticipation with the extra traffic!

Its a good thing they delay the opening of the tunnel!!They know it would be bukit bintang area worst nightmare come thru!!The number of cars entering the area via the tunnel would triple!!Free ma !I see them doing a lot of work along jalan imbi and jalan raja chulan in anticipation with the extra traffic!


I think one of the reason (not the sole reason) of the delay is that they are still doing and improving the roadworks around the Jalan Sultan Ismail - Imbi junction. From my sources - Jalan Imbi (from Parkroyal to the Raja Chulan junction) would be one way. The one way would be from Jalan Raja Chulan towards Berjaya Times Sq. :yes:

Thats good news!!!For me!!And i think the reason forthat is also got do with the putrajaya highway because u can only get on it infront of the RHB building

I wonder if it will be possible to put bus lanes on the new roadway after the toll is implemented and traffic dies down........

Better to do it now before the traffic really builds up......

CHeers, m

sounds like a good idea to put in the bus lane after smart tunnel opens. but, of course, feasibility study first - jangan suka suka implement saje.

after all the needed infrastructures are in, they should really look at improving public transport. we don't want kl to turn into LA. but i have faith, we're going the right direction. :)

Smart Tunnel Opens On May 14


KUALA LUMPUR, May 7 (Bernama) -- The Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel (SMART) will be open to traffic at 1.30pm on May 14, said Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu.

He said the six-kilometre road tunnel which was originally scheduled to be opened on April 9 had to be postponed as the bottom part of the tunnel had not been fully completed.

"The bottom part of the tunnel to channel stormwater was not ready, that's why we delayed the opening," he told reporters before opening the Federal Territory MIC Convention, here today.

The RM1.9 billion project, which began in January 2003, comprises a 10km stormwater tunnel and a double-deck motorway tunnel.

Construction work on the tunnel was carried out by Syarikat Mengurus Air Banjir dan Terowong Sdn Bhd, a joint-venture between Gamuda and MMC.

Samy Vellu, who is also the MIC president, said the tunnel linked Jalan Tun Razak and Jalan Davis to the Kuala Lumpur-Seremban Highway, near the Royal Malaysian Air Force base.

This shortens the time taken by road users going to the city centre to between five and 10 minutes only compared with more than 40 minutes during peak hours.

Asked about the toll rate to be charged, he said: "I can't disclose now because I need approval from the cabinet."

The minister said the toll rate would be announced one month after the SMART tunnel was opened to the public.

-- BERNAMA

This morning I wanted to try SMART tunnel going to Sg Besi, some cars in front me get can in the tunnel but the officers stopped my car and explain that this tunnel currently is just for VIP only and will be open for public after 3 pm.

I hope I can use this tunnel this afternoon

Malaysia looks into building more tunnels
May 15 2007
BusinessTimes


The SMART tunnel is a creative engineering solution to ease traffic congestion which can replicated elsewhere in Malaysia, says the Works Minister

THE Government is carrying out detailed studies on the prospect of constructing more tunnels instead of cutting hill slopes when building new highways.

"To help ease traffic congestion in cities, we need to build new highways. I have directed the Public Works Department to do detailed studies to incorporate tunnels under existing busy roads and through hill slopes.

"The SMART tunnel is a creative engineering solution which we can replicate elsewhere in the country," Works Minister Datuk Seri S. Samy Vellu said.

SMART, a world's first, is a twin system consisting a stormwater channel and a motorway in a single infrastructure.

Samy Vellu was speaking to reporters after jointly officiating at the six-kilometre double-decked SMART motorway with Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Azmi Khalid.

The RM1.93 billion project was built by Syarikat Mengurus Air Banjir dan Terowong Sdn Bhd (SMART) - a 50:50 joint venture between MMC Corp Bhd and Gamuda Bhd.

The Government financed RM1.3 billion of the project cost, while the remaining RM633 million came from SMART, which is also the toll concessionaire for the motorway.

The SMART motorway is a faster alternative route to the Golden Triangle commercial district via a newly-built extension into Jalan Sultan Ismail from the existing Jalan Sungai Besi, with entry and exit points along Jalan Davis and Jalan Tun Razak (near the Kampung Pandan roundabout).

It is expected to reduce travelling time between Sg Besi and the city centre to five minutes from the current 30 minutes.

The upper deck of the motorway tunnel is for traffic heading south, while the lower deck is for city-bound traffic.

Some 200,000 vehicles travel daily from Sg Besi to the city centre. Yesterday, motorists started using the SMART motorway free of charge.

"Let me repeat, this is a tolled expressway. It's free of charge for one month but starting June 15 road users have to pay toll," Samy Vellu said, adding that the amount of toll has yet to be decided by the Cabinet.

"Taking into consideration the amount of time spent and cost to build this tunnel, we should not think that the toll rate is the same as ordinary highways.

"You have to compare the SMART tunnel with other tunnels in the world incorporating highways. It will be a special rate," the Works Minister said.

This morning I wanted to try SMART tunnel going to Sg Besi, some cars in front me get can in the tunnel but the officers stopped my car and explain that this tunnel currently is just for VIP only and will be open for public after 3 pm.

I hope I can use this tunnel this afternoon

so, how was yesterday...?took many pictures?

My goodness.......he's been frank in admitting that the toll rates would be high. I would prefer the rates to be around RM2 but of course I wish that it would be lower lah. Afterall it is only a short distance iand rregardless of the superiority in construction, let us not forget that this is not just the road tunnel but also as a flood tunnel. So the govt should bear part of the cost. It is the govt's social obligation.

However the max that I would like to pay is RM3. I guess it could be higher than that. :ohno:

This morning I wanted to try SMART tunnel going to Sg Besi, some cars in front me get can in the tunnel but the officers stopped my car and explain that this tunnel currently is just for VIP only and will be open for public after 3 pm.

I hope I can use this tunnel this afternoon


Waiting to hear ya report! :D

I wanted to use yesterday afternoon but my path did not cross with that of the tunnel so din get to use it :(

I seriously hope that since they ban heavy vehicles, motorcycles shd be STRICTLY NOT ALLOWED too. I can't imagine bikes squeezing between lines in the tunnel.

Passed through the tunnel this morning. (a bit blur)

http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/9961/dsc01172md8.jpg

http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/4933/dsc01173fy3.jpg

http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/5845/dsc01174sw3.jpg

^^thanks for the pictures...
judging from the number of cars....emm...let say....RM2!!

i made an extra effort to detour from my usual route and head for the smart tunnel heading to klia today...first impression...im very2 impressed...but i noticed bottle neck at the exit if ur heading to KL (infront of RHB building)...the tunnel is curvy...so cannot cilok2 like michael schumacher...once i entered the tunnel...it look quite small to me...only one lane...it will only become 2 lanes once the lane merged with the one from jln SI... yeah...the VMS advised the drivers to switch on the light...

I've try it yesterday, and I have no complain on it but it would be better if they put hot mix asphalt on it. The current one is a concrete layer

So the govt should bear part of the cost. It is the govt's social obligation.

Because it is 50:50 jv, the govt. shld bear half of the toll cost. Lets be realistic. I m not going to pay beyond RM2. Anywhere more than that is ridiculous for most users. Not the mentality thing, but seriously how many people can afford it everyday?

My pictures

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b3/dave_win/kuala%20lumpur/IMG_0780copy.jpg

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b3/dave_win/kuala%20lumpur/IMG_0793copy.jpg

Bukit Bintang on the left
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b3/dave_win/kuala%20lumpur/IMG_0798copy.jpg

Yes, that Penang car cut the queue :D
http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b3/dave_win/kuala%20lumpur/IMG_0800copy.jpg

Can't be RM2.00. Allevated highway oredi RM1.50..Tis one state of the art ma..some more apa itu Guieness world record..RM2.00 imposssible..Sami oredi said mesti mahal maa..

no need to debate about the price....bcoz after all, Samy Vellu would say..."Lu mau pakai, lu bayar. Lu tak mau bayar, jangan pakai!"

Panjang dia 10 km kan ?

Because it is 50:50 jv, the govt. shld bear half of the toll cost. Lets be realistic. I m not going to pay beyond RM2. Anywhere more than that is ridiculous for most users. Not the mentality thing, but seriously how many people can afford it everyday?

I read from paper sometime ago that government pays RM1.3b and the gamuda pays only RM0.6b hence it is not a 50:50jv. Further who knows the whole project may cost only RM1.3b and gamuda pay NOTHING and it has the right to collect toll for 40 years. The worst could be the whole project cost only RM1.0 b or less and RM0.3 b or more goes to some private pockets and gamuda still have the right to collect toll for 40 years++++++.

Tried it this afternoon! Impressive! :okay:

I still won't agree to anything more than RM3. James is right......RM 2 would be the max for many.

IN fact I believe that should they charge lower, they would have the mass of users and in return it would generate more income and its objective of a road diversion would be met. Of course there are concerns of wear and tear if they charge too low and too man people using it but since the road surface isn't asphalt and it is concrete.....well......the maintenance is insignificant to the rates that they might be charging. :yes:

Try walking in it. You could feel a gush of wind flowing. There is no ventilation fans along. They r using the powerful blower to clean the air. One thing though, the tunnel looks similar to boston big dig.

yeah gotta agree with you James...very similar to Boston big dig but I think Boston has more lanes and definitely wider.

I am waiting see how they going to keep it clean!!Baru all look nice and cleanlah and i dont understand they can complete the tunnel but not the kampung pandan roundabout!!!On Jalan Tun Razak heading south they must have signs telling drivers to be on the correct lanes as they approch the tunnel and soon to be completed putrajaya highway!

I read from paper sometime ago that government pays RM1.3b and the gamuda pays only RM0.6b hence it is not a 50:50jv. Further who knows the whole project may cost only RM1.3b and gamuda pay NOTHING and it has the right to collect toll for 40 years. The worst could be the whole project cost only RM1.0 b or less and RM0.3 b or more goes to some private pockets and gamuda still have the right to collect toll for 40 years++++++.

where do you hear this 'news' from? harakahdaily.net?malaysia-today.net?
come on....find another appropriate source first...:ohno:

^^ Malaysians are always full of mamak/warung/kopitiam conspiracy theories. Authentication of information seems to be of no importance to most :yes:

On the contrary........MalaysiaToday and other news blogs are credible at times. They do not simply spew out rubbish. However our mainstream news sometimes does. Worst still - they spread politically-charged propaganda rubbish! :ohno:

Anyway what's the purpose of using cement for the SMART tunnel? Water proof ah?

where do you hear this 'news' from? harakahdaily.net?malaysia-today.net?
come on....find another appropriate source first...:ohno:

THis was reported by the largest chinese new paper, Sin Chew, about a month ago. If I am not mistaken, the RM1.3B spending by government was released by government official hence no rubbish.

chinese news paper also loves making sensation lah...

and u said.."if i'm not mistaken", that mean you yourself are not sure about this...

chinese news paper also loves making sensation lah...

and u said.."if i'm not mistaken", that mean you yourself are not sure about this...

Come on, don't pick words from sentences and twist the meaning..

Sin Chew is alwsys on BN side if you know this well. That particular article reported the facts that government has spent RM1.3B on this project and the private sector spent less than half of the RM1.9B.