Kuala Lumpur, April 2, 2007
SMART’S tunnel boring machine (TBM), TUAH, has completed tunneling works on its north-bound journey to the holding basin at Kampung Berembang.
The completion is a culmination of works that first began in June 2004, with TUAH boring at North Ventilation Shaft (NVS) at the Padang JKR at Jalan Cheras and making its first breakthrough 6 months |
|
later at North Junction Box (NJB) at Jalan Cochrane.
In reaching its final destination today, TUAH has bored through a total distance of 5.36km and erected a total of 3,071 rings that make up the northern section of the total 9.7km storm-water tunnel of the SMART system.
The SMART Tunnel is the world’s first dual purpose tunnel, and among the largest in the world with a diameter of 13.2 meters
TUAH’s breakthrough today is significant as it means tunneling works for the stormwater tunnel and the entire SMART system is complete. GEMILANG, the south-drive TBM completed works in April 2006 when it reached the storage reservoir at Taman Desa.
With completion of tunneling works at both ends of the SMART alignment, the project is targeted to be fully operational by June this year.
The motorway portion, which will provide a new direct alternative access to the city centre, is already complete and is ready to be opened to the public soon.
SMART is a dual purpose system that is being implemented by the Government to mitigate flooding and in the city centre and ease traffic congestion along Jalan Sungei Besi. It is being implemented under the joint supervision of Jabatan Pengairan dan Saliran and Lembaga Lebuhraya Malaysia.
The project is jointly carried out by MMC Corporation Berhad and Gamuda Berhad.
