KUALA LUMPUR : SMART TUNNEL (2006)

The Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel (SMART Tunnel) is a storm drainage and road structure in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and a major national project in the country. It is the longest stormwater drainage tunnel in Southeast Asia and second longest in Asia. 

Construction of the tunnel began on 25 November 2003 and began operations at the end of January 2007. 

The Institution of Engineers, Malaysia had organised the site visit to the SMART Tunnel at Sungai Besi on 9 March 2006 and Kg Pandan on 11 May 2006. 

The IEM site visit to the SMART Tunnel on 9 March 2006 was a significant technical excursion, occurring just as the project was nearing a major milestone: the breakthrough of one of its massive Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs).

The visit was organized in conjunction with the International Conference and Exhibition on Tunnelling and Trenchless Technology, which took place from 7–9 March 2006 at the Sheraton Subang.

The IEM technical visit to the SMART Tunnel site at Kampung Pandan on 11 May 2006 was a landmark event for the Malaysian engineering community. Coming just two months after the international tunneling conference in March, this visit focused on the "North Junction" of the project—the critical interchange where the motorway and stormwater functions diverged.

By May 2006, the SMART Tunnel project was at its peak of complexity. While the first visit in March had focused on the TBM breakthrough, the May visit was aimed at the structural and mechanical integration of the tunnel at the Kampung Pandan site.

The Kampung Pandan site (near the current Jalan Tun Razak/Kampung Pandan roundabout) served as the North Junction Box.

Participants were briefed on the "world-first" dual-purpose design—a 9.7 km stormwater bypass with a 3 km double-deck motorway integrated into the center.

The year 2006, was a pivotal period for Gamuda Berhad as they were heavily involved in massive infrastructure projects that defined Malaysia's landscape. Among their Project include the SMART Tunnel, Kaohsiung MRT at Taiwan and Water Concession at Selangor. 

Dato' Ir. Ahmad Zaidee bin Laidin played a central role during this period. Not only was he a former President of IEM, but he also served as the Co-Chairman and Board Member of the MMC-Gamuda JV, the entity responsible for constructing the SMART Tunnel.

This visit occurred during the "final stretch" of construction.

• April 2006: Just weeks before this visit, the TBM "Gemilang" had successfully completed its drive.
• May 2006: The focus shifted from excavation to Internal Works. The IEM visitors were among the first professional groups to walk the newly completed tunnel segments at Kampung Pandan before the road surfacing began.

The Legacy of Dato' Ir. Ahmad Zaidee

Under his guidance, the SMART project became a source of national pride. He later received the UN Habitat Scroll of Honour Award in 2011 for his leadership on this project, citing it as an innovative solution for sustainable urban development.

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

Lembah Keramat, K.L

3/1/2025: 11.50 p.m