Tuesday, December 1, 2009

MY EYE:Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman


Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman
Length 1.90km kilometres
({{{length-mi}}} miles)
Direction North -South
Start Chow Kit
Main destinations Medan Tuanku
Dang Wangi
Dataran Merdeka
End Jalan Tun Perak
Roads joined Jkr-ft2.png Genting Klang-Pahang Highway
Jalan Ipoh
Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz
Jalan Chow Kit
Kuala Lumpur Inner Ring Road
(Jalan Sultan Ismail)
Jalan Dang Wangi
Jalan Tun Perak
Jalan Raja
Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman in Chow Kit
Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, facing towards Merdeka Square.
The shopping strip along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman in Kuala Lumpur.

Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman or formerly Batu Road is a prominent road in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and is named after the first Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King) of Malaysia.

It is located in the business district of Kuala Lumpur and is a stones throw away from Dataran Merdeka and Little India

History

The road was previously known as Batu Road as it was originally a path leading to the Batu village where mining activities took place.

In the 1930s, development overtook the village turning the swamps, rice fields and coconut estates in the area into one of the busiest roads in Kuala Lumpur.

Traders here sell a variety of items along with the retailers, wholesalers, and hawkers. There are also hotels and a cinema here.

Post-war buildings with interesting architectural designs are also part of the road’s draw.

The road was later renamed after the country’s first Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Rahman ibni Almarhum Tuanku Muhammad. He was also the eighth Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Seri Menanti and second Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan.

In present day, the older folks still refer to the road as Batu Lut, a localised version of its old name while the younger generation often refer to it as Jalan TAR.

Attractions

The road comes alive early in the day and is always bustling with activities as shoppers throng the street for its many boutiques and shopping arcades.

The road is a haven for textile companies, carpet traders and small boutiques that sell modern Malay designs. There are also many small second-hand books dealers who have thrived despite the boom of giant bookstore chains.

One of the significant landmarks on the road is the Coliseum cinema. It is still popular and screens movies that cater to different segments of society, mainly Tamil movies.

At the end of the road, the newly-built Maju Junction stands tall, creating a modern touch to the surrounding older architecture.



MY EYE:SMART Tunnel


Mes-e38.png
E38 Expressway

CH-Hinweissignal-Autobahn.svg

SMART logo.gif
Syarikat Mengurus Air Banjir dan Terowong Sdn Bhd
(SMART)
Length 4 kilometres
(2.4 miles)
Direction NorthSouth
Start Jalan Tun Razak on Kuala Lumpur Middle Ring Road 1
Main destinations Cheras
Petaling Jaya
Seremban
Melaka
Johor Bahru
Bukit Bintang
Imbi
End Sungai Besi Airport on Mes-e37.png AH 2 Kuala Lumpur-Seremban Expressway
Construction dates 2003 - 2007
Road/Expressway joined Kuala Lumpur Middle Ring Road 1
Mes-e37.png AH 2Kuala Lumpur-Seremban Expressway
Sultan Ismail-Kampung Pandan Link
Kuala Lumpur Inner Ring Road
Asian Highway Network none
Technical specifications
Development Cost RM1,887 million (US$514.6 million)
Number of lanes 4 lanes (double-decker)
Interchanges 3
Toll plazas 4
P Layby 1
(at SMART Tunnel Operation Office)
R&R Rest and Service Area none
R&R Overhead Bridge Restaurant none
V Vista Point none
Highway tunnels 1
Type of roads Motorway tunnel
Concrete
Toll systems Open toll systems
Highway patrol unit SMART RONDA
Hotline service SMART HELPLINE
Maps

The "Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel" or "SMART Tunnel", Mes-e38.png is a storm drainage and road structure in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, a major national project in the country. The 9.7 km (6.0 miles) tunnel is the longest stormwater tunnel in South East Asia and second longest in Asia.

The main objective of this tunnel is to solve the problem of flash floods in Kuala Lumpur and also to reduce traffic jams along Jalan Sungai Besi and Lok Yew flyover at Pudu during rush hour. There are two components of this tunnel, the stormwater tunnel and motorway tunnel. It is the longest multi-purpose tunnel in the world.

It begins at Kampung Berembang lake near Klang River at Ampang and ends at Taman Desa lake near Kerayong River at Salak South. The project is led by the government, including Malaysian Highway Authority (LLM) and the Department of Irrigation and Drainage Malaysia (Jabatan Pengairan dan Saliran = JPS) and also a company joint venture pact between Gamuda Berhad and Malaysian Mining Corporation Berhad (MMC).

Route background

The Kilometre Zero of the tunnel starts at Salak Interchange.

History

Construction of the tunnel began in 25 November 2003. Two Herrenknecht's Tunnel Boring Machines (TBM) from Germany were used, including "Tuah" on north side and "Gemilang" on south side.

On 11 December 2003, the 13.2 m diameter Mixshield TBM, Tuah, completed a 737 m section after 24 weeks of excavation. By the end of January 2004, Tuah would start a second drive covering a distance of 4.5 km to Kampung Berembang lake. A second TBM, Gemilang, has bored 350 m since getting underway in August 2004. Operated by Wayss & Freytag of Germany, this second Herrenknecht's TBM would drive 5.3 km in the south of the city to Taman Desa lake.

On 22 April 2006, the Gemilang's TBM completed digging on the south side at the Taman Desa outfall, while the Tuah's TBM completed digging in the Kampung Berembang area in 2 April 2007.

The motorway sections on the SMART system was officially opened at 3:00PM, 14 May 2007, after multiple delays.

Meanwhile, the stormwater sections on the SMART system began operations at the end of June 2007.

How SMART Tunnel works

First mode (Normal conditions)

The first mode, under normal conditions where there is no storm, no flood water will be diverted into the system.

Second mode (Most storms)

When the second mode is activated, flood water is diverted into the bypass tunnel in the lower channel of the motorway tunnel. The motorway section is still open to traffic at this stage.

Third mode (Major storms)

When this mode is in operation, the motorway will be closed to all traffic. After making sure all vehicles have exited the motorway, automated water-tight gates will be opened to allow flood waters to pass through. The motorway will be reopened to traffic within 48 hours of closure.

Tunnel safety

Ventilation or escape shafts at 1 km intervals provide ventilation within the motorway. To protect the ventilation system during floods, the system consist of a series of shafts; each containing an exhaust and fresh air injector. This design enables fans 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 exhaust fumes. The feature also allows smoke control in the event of a fire. The SMART Tunnel is also equipped with fire-fighting, telecommunication and surveillance equipments at 1 km intervals.

Technical specifications

SMART Tunnel during a test on 29 January 2007
The north bound entrance of SMART Tunnel on the Kuala Lumpur-Seremban Expressway.

Stormwater tunnel

  • Construction cost: RM1,887 million (US$514.6 million)
  • Stormwater tunnel length: 9.7 km (6.0 mi)
  • Diameter: 13.2 m (43.3 ft) (outer diameter)
  • Tunnelling method: Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM)
  • TBM type: Slurry shield

Motorway tunnel

  • Motorway tunnel length: 4 km (2.5 mi)
  • Structure type: Double Deck
  • Ingress and egress: 1.5 km (0.93 mi) at Jalan Sultan Ismail and Jalan Imbi
  • Length: 1.4 km (0.87 mi) at Jalan Tun Razak
  • Links: 1.6 km (1 mi) at Kuala Lumpur-Seremban Expressway Links: City Centre near Kg. Pandan Roundabout KL-Seremban Expressway near Sungai Besi Airport

Features

  • Longest tunnel in Malaysia.
  • 9.7 km (6.03 miles) stormwater by-pass tunnel.
  • 4 km (2.49 miles) double-deck motorway within stormwater tunnel.
  • The motorway tunnel is suitable for light vehicles only. Motorcycles and heavy vehicles are not allowed.
  • Ingress and egress connections to the motorway tunnel linking the southern gateway to the city centre.
  • Holding basin complete with diversion and tunnel intake structures.
  • Storage reservoir and a twin-box culvert to release flood discharge.
  • State-of-the-art operations control room equipped with the latest systems in operations management, surveillance and maintenance of the SMART system.
  • Custom-made fire engine units consisting two modified Toyota Hilux, parked at two different locations for quick access to the tunnel in case of fire at both carriageways.

Toll rates

Class Type of vehicles Rate (in Malaysian ringgit (RM)) Notes
1 Private car RM 2.00 TnG and TAG are also available at this toll plaza.
4 Taxis RM 2.00 Toll charges are paid by passengers only.

FM Radio channels available in the tunnel

Radio Frequencies
Klasik Nasional FM 87.7 MHz
KL FM 97.2 MHz
Muzik FM 95.3 MHz
Hot FM 97.6 MHz
Fly FM 95.8 MHz
hitz.fm 92.9 MHz
Traxx FM 90.3 MHz

List of interchanges

From/To Mes-e37.png East-West Link Expressway

km Exit Interchange To Remarks
Mes-e38.png
0


Mes-e37.png EAST-WEST LINK EXPRESSWAY
SOUTHEAST
Cheras

NORTHWEST
Petaling Jaya
Shah Alam
Direction Y junctions
CH-Hinweissignal-Autobahn.svg Mes-e37.png AH 2 KUALA LUMPUR-SEREMBAN EXPRESSWAY
MetaCorp border limit
CH-Hinweissignal-Autobahn.svg Mes-e38.png SMART logo.gif SMART TUNNEL
SMART border limit


SMART logo.gif P SMART Tunnel operation office Zeichen 314.svg Aiga toilets inv.svg TnG TAG i
Customer Service Centre
SMART Tunnel operation office
South bound on Cheras, Petaling Jaya and Shah Alam stretches only
SMART logo.gif SMART toll plaza
SMART
RM (Cash) TnG TAG TAG TnG RM (Cash)
Open toll system
Pay toll
MOTORWAY TUNNEL
Dry sections
Start/End of tunnel
Maximum height 2 m
Speed limit 60 km/h




From/To Motorway tunnel

From/To Mes-e37.png Kuala Lumpur-Seremban Expressway

km Exit Interchange To Remarks



SOUTH
Mes-e37.png AH 2KUALA LUMPUR-SEREMBAN EXPRESSWAY
Mes-e37.png Kompleks Sukan Negara
Mes-e5.png Klang
Mes-e2.png AH 2 NORTH-SOUTH EXPRESSWAY SOUTHERN ROUTE
Mes-e6.png Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA)
Mes-e2.png AH 2 Seremban
Mes-e2.png AH 2 Melaka
Mes-e2.png AH 2 Johor Bahru

CH-Hinweissignal-Autobahn.svg Mes-e37.png AH 2 KUALA LUMPUR-SEREMBAN EXPRESSWAY
MetaCorp border limit
CH-Hinweissignal-Autobahn.svg Mes-e38.png SMART logo.gif SMART TUNNEL
SMART border limit
Mes-e38.png
0




SMART logo.gif SMART toll plaza
SMART
RM (Cash) TnG TAG TAG TnG RM (Cash)
Open toll system
Pay toll
MOTORWAY TUNNEL
Dry sections
Start/End of tunnel
Maximum height 2 m
Speed limit 60 km/h




From/To Motorway tunnel

Motorway tunnel

km Exit Interchange To Remarks
MOTORWAY TUNNEL
Dry sections
Start/End of tunnel
Maximum height 2 m
Speed limit 60 km/h

EXIT 3801 Motorway Tunnel
Dry sections
Tunnel exit south bound
EXIT 3801A
SMART logo.gif P SMART Tunnel Operation Office
Mes-e37.png EAST-WEST LINK EXPRESSWAY
Mes-e37.png Cheras
Mes-e37.png Petaling Jaya
Mes-e37.png Shah Alam

EXIT 3801B
Mes-e37.png AH 2 KUALA LUMPUR-SEREMBAN EXPRESSWAY
Mes-e37.png AH 2 Kompleks Sukan Negara
CH-Hinweissignal-Autobahn.svg Mes-e5.png Klang
CH-Hinweissignal-Autobahn.svg Mes-e2.png AH 2 NORTH-SOUTH EXPRESSWAY SOUTHERN ROUTE
CH-Hinweissignal-Autobahn.svg Mes-e6.png Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA)
CH-Hinweissignal-Autobahn.svg Mes-e2.png AH 2 Seremban
CH-Hinweissignal-Autobahn.svg Mes-e2.png AH 2 Melaka
CH-Hinweissignal-Autobahn.svg Mes-e2.png AH 2 Johor Bahru
Tunnel interchange
MOTORWAY TUNNEL
Dry sections
MOTORWAY TUNNEL
Water gate boundary
MOTORWAY TUNNEL
Wet sections


Motorway Tunnel
Wet sections


MOTORWAY TUNNEL
Wet sections
MOTORWAY TUNNEL
Water gate boundary
MOTORWAY TUNNEL
Dry sections

EXIT 3802 Motorway Tunnel
Dry sections
Tunnel exit north bound
EXIT 3802A
SULTAN ISMAIL LINK TUNNEL
JALAN DAVIS
KUALA LUMPUR INNER RING ROAD
Jalan Imbi
Jalan Sultan Ismail
Jalan Bukit Bintang

EXIT 3802B
KUALA LUMPUR MIDDLE RING ROAD I
JALAN TUN RAZAK (Jalan Pekeliling)
Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC)
Ampang
Tunnel interchange
Lower floor
MOTORWAY TUNNEL
Dry sections
Start/End of tunnel
Maximum height 2 m
Speed limit 60 km/h
CH-Hinweissignal-Autobahn.svg Mes-e38.png SMART logo.gif SMART TUNNEL
Start/End of expressway
SMART border limit
KUALA LUMPUR MIDDLE RING ROAD 1
DBKL border limit



NORTH
KUALA LUMPUR MIDDLE RING ROAD I
JALAN TUN RAZAK (Jalan Pekeliling)
Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC)
Ampang

Sultan Ismail link tunnel

km Exit Interchange To Remarks

EXIT 3802 Sultan Ismail link tunnel
Dry sections
Tunnel entry south bound
MOTORWAY TUNNEL
Mes-e37.pngCheras
Mes-e37.pngPetaling Jaya
Mes-e37.png AH 2Kompleks Sukan Negara
Mes-e6.pngKuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA)
Mes-e2.png AH 2Seremban
Mes-e2.png AH 2Melaka
Mes-e2.png AH 2Johor Bahru
Tunnel interchange
Upper floor
MOTORWAY TUNNEL
Dry sections
Start/End of tunnel
Maximum height 2 m
Speed limit 60 km/h
CH-Hinweissignal-Autobahn.svg Mes-e38.png SMART logo.gif SMART TUNNEL
Start/End of expressway
SMART border limit
JALAN DAVIS
DBKL border limit



NORTHWEST
SULTAN ISMAIL-KAMPUNG PANDAN LINK (JALAN DAVIS)
KUALA LUMPUR INNER RING ROAD
Jalan Imbi
Jalan Sultan Ismail
Jalan Bukit Bintang

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