Sunday, June 03, 2007

"SMART" Tunnel not so smart

I was disturbed by this news that another flash floods hit KL after heavy downpour yesterday as the first question raised in my mind is the SMART Tunnel.

The SMART Tunnel, which is an acronym for Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel, is 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.

And according to the website of the company which owns the tunnel, the SMART system is built to divert large volumes of flood water from entering the critical stretch of Sungai Klang between Sg Klang /Sg Ampang confluence and Sg Gombak/ Sg Klang confluence via a holding pond, bypass tunnel and storage reservoir. This will reduce the flood water level at the Jalan Tun Perak Bridge, preventing spillover.

The project, which was incepted by the project proponent, namely MMC Berhad-Gamuda Berhad Joint Venture, primarily aim to mitigate the recurring floods in the city of Kuala Lumpur, the financial, business and commercial hub of Malaysia.

However, at the design stage of SMART, the dual purpose concept was born from the ingenuity of the project proponents and the motorway tunnel was integrated into the system to relieve traffic congestion at the main Southern Gateway to the city centre.

The motorway tunnel will provide an alternative route for motorists from the Southern Gateway, i.e. KL-Seremban Highway, Federal Highway, Besraya and East-West Link entering and exiting the city centre. It is believed that this will reduce traffic congestion at the Southern Gateway leading to the city centre. The travel time is expected to be reduced significantly.

Now, after all these huh-hah, perhaps it is good for us to ask if this tunnel really works when flash floods could still take place after when the tunnel is fully operational, only to wait for the announcement of its toll rate by the government. Or is it really safe enough for motorists?

My friend, Ronnie Liu has his comment. What do you think

Below is the story from the Star:

Flash floods hit KL after downpour

KUALA LUMPUR: Several areas in Pudu, Salak South and Ampang were hit by flash floods after an evening downpour yesterday.

Waters began to rise after it started raining at about 6pm.

By 7.30pm it had, according to some victims, reached to their waists.

A restaurant owner in Jalan Besar, Salak South, said such flash floods happened almost every time a big storm occurs.

“In the 20 years I have operated my shop here, the problem has persisted.

“We have complained to the authorities numerous times but the situation has not improved,” said the 65-year-old man who only identified himself as Chan.

By about 9pm, the water level had dropped to ankle level.

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