What is SMART?
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 Corp Berhad and Gamuda Berhad with the Department of Irrigation And Drainage Malaysia and the Malaysian Highway Authority as the executing government agencies.
Studies had indicated that the critical stretch of Sungai Klang between Sg Klang /Sg Ampang confluence and Sg Gombak/ Sg Klang confluence to be flood prone areas and the fact that the river is further constrained by the Jalan Tun Perak Bridge (near Masjid Jamek) which is low, has resulted in the surrounding areas to experience floods.
The SMART system will be able to divert large volumes of flood water from entering this critical stretch via a holding pond, bypass tunnel and storage reservoir. This will reduce the flood water level at the Jalan Tun Perak Bridge, preventing spillover.
Other benefits of SMART
The Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel (SMART) project was incepted by the project proponent, namely MMC Corp Berhad-Gamuda Berhad Joint Venture, primarily 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 to Ease Congestion
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. This will reduce traffic congestion at the Southern Gateway leading to the city centre. The travel time will be reduced significantly. For example from the Jalan Istana Interchange-Kampung Pandan the expected travel time is a mere four minutes compared to ten to fifteen minutes using the existing roads.
SMART Tunnel Coverage Area
Operational Modes of The Smart Tunnel
MODE 1
When weather is fair with little or no rain and traffoc is allowed in the tunnel
MODE 2
- Activated when moderate rainfalls and the flow rate recorded at the confluence of upper Sg. Klang/Sg. Ampang (L4 flow station) is 70-150 m3/s. Only 50 m3/s is allowed to flow downstream
- Excess flood water will be diverted to SMART storages and only the lower drains of tunnel will be used to convey flood flow to the Desa attenuation pond
- Road tunnel will still be opened to traffic
MODE 3
- Activated when major storm event occurs and flood model forecasts a flow rate of 150 m3/s or more at L4
- Traffice will be evacuated from the road tunnel. This normally takes about one hour. Only 10 m3/s is allowed to flow downstream
- If heavy rain storm stops early or due to some specific circumstances, then the traffic tunnel will not be flooded
- Road tunnel will be re-opened to traffic within 2-8 hours after closure
MODE 4
- Activated if heavy rain storm prolongs, usually will be confirmed 1-2 hour after Mode 3 is declared
- Road tunnel will be used for passage of flood after traffic evacuation completed. Only 10 m3/s is allowed to flow downstream
- Road tunnel will be re-opened within 4 days of closure
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