KUALA LUMPUR – After completing its nearly one-kilometre-long Gombak tunnel ahead of schedule, the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project will continue excavation works on the remaining tunnels without compromising safety.
Excavation works for the Gombak tunnel, spanning 959 metres, began in June 2023 and were completed last month following 5.8 million hours of labour. This marks ECRL’s 36th tunnel breakthrough, with five more to complete.
The works also employed the drill-and-blast method to penetrate mainly weathered granite, with the final blast cutting through approximately 38 metres from the tunnel’s entrance
Speaking to Scoop, Malaysia Rail Link (MRL) chief executive Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak said the project faced several challenges, particularly when it came to drilling through different layers of granite.
One of the main challenges, Darwis said, was the existence of a road with shallow soil layers coupled with unstable surrounding rocks.
“Such situations pose a risk of collapse and other safety hazards,” Darwis said when contacted.
To address such issues, Darwis pointed out that the ECRL team rerouted the road and proceeded to reinforce the weathered granite inside the tunnel.
This process was then followed by installing support structures to ensure safe excavation.
Additionally, during the excavation process, the ECRL team also found soft rock surfaces which required them to perform extra jet grouting works before moving to the next steps.
“Even though this may have slowed down the progress of excavation works, the extra precautions were necessary to ensure no accidents or incidents occurred,” Darwis added.
On Tuesday, Darwis said the Gombak tunnel breakthrough marks another project milestone as it represents a crucial component in completing the ECRL route from Kota Bharu, Kelantan, to the Gombak Integrated Terminal, Selangor, by December 2026.
He said the project developers were optimistic about commencing ECRL operations by January 2027 to fulfil the aspirations of the public and business community, offering seamless transport for both passengers and cargo.
The tunnel breakthrough ceremony was officiated by Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari and attended by Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah, and China’s Ambassador to Malaysia, Ouyang Yujing recently.
Now, although ECRL hopes to keep up the pace with remaining tunnels, Darwis said the project would have to guarantee safety first, particularly in areas with adverse geological conditions such as weathered surrounding rock.
“MRL closely monitors the progress of each of the remaining tunnels that are currently being excavated.
“Any issues will be resolved at the soonest to ensure no impact on the progress.
“With the completion of excavation works for 36 tunnels, the ECRL can use techniques from past projects going forward and also the experience of addressing previous challenges,” Darwis said.
The ECRL Project recorded its first tunnel breakthrough at the 1.1km Paka Tunnel in Terengganu, completed six months ahead of schedule in April 2021.
In Selangor, the first tunnel breakthrough was achieved at the 469m Sungai Buaya 2 Tunnel in May this year.
The 665km ECRL project, a collaboration between MRL and China Communications Construction Company Ltd (CCCC), aims to connect the east coast states of Kelantan, Terengganu, and Pahang before linking to the Klang Valley on the west coast.
The project aims to reduce travel time between Kota Bharu and the Gombak Integrated Terminal to approximately four hours. – November 1, 2024