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

  • Netherlands: Hochtief, Fluor and Heijmans win Zuidasdok contract
    January 26, 2017
    Germany's Hochtief and US-based Fluor have been awarded a preliminary construction contract for the Zuidasdok regeneration project in Amsterdam. Hochtief and Fluor will each secure 42.5% of the €990 million contract while Dutch contractor Heijmans will secure 15%. Zuidasdok - a joint project by the city of Amsterdam, ProRail and Rijkswaterstaat – will redevelopment the area around Amsterdam Zuid train and metro station, including major changes to the A10 motorway. ProRail is a government organisati
  • Consultation soon for Vancouver area’s Massey Tunnel replacement
    September 19, 2019
    The Canadian province of British Columbia could put options for a Massey Tunnel replacement out to consultation late this year or early next. A statement from the BC ministry of transportation and infrastructure said the government is in discussions with various stakeholders about which options it will put out for consultation. Whatever option is chosen to replace the ageing four-lane Massey Tunnel – be it a bridge or another tunnel – it will be will be either six or eight lanes, according to the gove
  • Sunderland’s New Wear Crossing takes shape
    February 16, 2017
    The New Wear Crossing will be the first bridge to be built over the River Wear in Sunderland, UK, for more than 40 years Raising the bridge’s 100m-tall pylon promised to be a stunning visual sight, but also a tricky operation dictated by extremely variable local weather. World Highways went to press just before the operation, but not before the pylon had arrived by barge on January 7. It had completed a two-day crossing of the often unpredictable North Sea from the Belgian port of Ghent where it was f
  • Nigeria has built a major road link from concrete
    September 14, 2016
    A new concrete road is now open to traffic in Nigeria’s Kogi State. This is of note as the new 24km road is the now the country’s longest to be made from concrete. The new road was built in a joint venture partnership between Nigerian firm Dangote Construction and Brazilian company Andrade Gutierrez. The new road connects Kabba with Obajana. Part of the Dangote Group, Dangote Construction was well placed to carry out the work as it operates its Obajana Cement production facility, at Obajana. This new road