Skip to main content

Bangkok plans to spend US$3.5bn to build mega underground tunnels

Thailand could emulate Malaysia's twin smart-tunnel project through its own proposed Thailand Underground Tunnelling Group (TUTG) project, with an estimated investment of US$3.5 billion. Under the TUTG propsal, two large tunnels are to be constructed in Bangkok's underground to channel the city's rainwater surplus during heavy monsoons to refill its underground reserves whose water levels are now decreasing. When there is no major flood in Bangkok, the tunnels would be transformed into an underground roadwa
May 24, 2013 Read time: 2 mins
Thailand could emulate Malaysia's twin smart-tunnel project through its own proposed Thailand Underground Tunnelling Group (TUTG) project, with an estimated investment of US$3.5 billion.

Under the TUTG proposal, two large tunnels are to be constructed in Bangkok's underground to channel the city's rainwater surplus during heavy monsoons to refill its underground reserves whose water levels are now decreasing. When there is no major flood in Bangkok, the tunnels would be transformed into an underground roadway to ease the city traffic.

Malaysia’s twin-smart tunnel project in the country’s capital, Kuala Lumpur, known as the 5333 Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel (SMART) and the first tunnel of its kind in the world, is an innovative solution to Kuala Lumpur’s long-term traffic and stormwater management problems. The dual-purpose tunnel is diverting floodwaters away from the confluence of the two major rivers running through the city centre, while its central section is doubling up as a two-deck motorway to relieve traffic congestion at the main southern gateway into the city centre.

SMART was originally conceived as a flood relief tunnel to divert the 1 in 100 year flood away from the city centre. Then it was considered that the 11.8m internal diameter tunnel could be utilised in periods of low rainfall as a highway tunnel to alleviate Kuala Lumpur’s congested highway infrastructure. 2579 Mott MacDonald was approached by the MMC Engineering Group-Gamuda joint venture to carry out the feasibility study for this innovative dual purpose tunnel and then provide detailed design services to take the project from concept through to construction, working in association with SSP Consultants. Under the supervision of Mott MacDonald/SSP on behalf of the joint venture, the highway section and bypass tunnel were both completed and operational by May 2007.

The overall US$500 million plus scheme comprised 9.5km of tunnel with the central 3km incorporating a double deck motorway. Major components include an upstream intake structure, holding pond and storage reservoir, diversion tunnel, twin box culvert and ingress/egress connectors to the motorway tunnel. Ventilation of the road tunnel required construction of four 15m-high shaft structures.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • What lies beneath Down Under
    January 11, 2021
    The third and final construction stage on Sydney’s WestConnex project has begun, including the underground Rozelle Interchange – with a lot of help from Komatsu
  • Bangkok Outer Ring Expressway deal agreed
    February 17, 2020
    Progress is being made for Bangkok’s new outer ring expressway.
  • Hats off to Polypipe
    May 15, 2020
    Ridgidrain allows pipe sections to be cut without affecting pipe integrity.
  • Mott Macdonald handling major Hong Kong project
    July 24, 2012
    Engineering firm Mott MacDonald has been commissioned to head the team designing the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge link road. The Dragages-China Harbour-VSL joint venture appointed Mott MacDonald as lead designer for the 9.4km long viaduct section of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge. This US$1.66 (HK$12.9 billion) project is the largest single design and build contract ever awarded in Hong Kong. The bridge will carry a dual three-lane carriageway over the Pearl River Estuary, which is one of the world’s bu