Wan Agyl Wan Hassan said the SMART Tunnel’s ability to ease traffic congestion and manage stormwaters would make it a much needed addition to the city’s infrastructure.
“Given the congestion and recurring flooding in Petaling Jaya, this dual-purpose infrastructure could bring significant improvements,” he told FMT.
He was commenting after the Petaling Jaya City Council announced on May 29 its proposal for a 1.98km SMART Tunnel covering Sections 19, 51, and 51A.
The tunnel is projected to traverse Sections 51 and 51A, Federal Highway Route 2, and the New Pantai Expressway (NPE) at an estimated total cost of RM350 million.
Wan Agyl, the former head of policy and planning at the now-defunct land public transport commission, explained that the SMART Tunnel’s flood mitigation mechanism allows for the diversion of stormwater into designated channels and reservoirs, preventing it from overwhelming urban drainage systems.
“This design has proven effective in Kuala Lumpur, where the SMART Tunnel has successfully reduced flooding in key areas,” he said.
Meanwhile, transport consultant Rosli Khan said the new SMART Tunnel could alleviate surface-level congestion in Petaling Jaya by providing an alternative route for traffic.
However, with the number of developments approved in the area, he said the SMART Tunnel would likely be congested immediately after it is opened.
Rosli said there would be a constant need for additional traffic management solutions if the number of residents and businesses in and around the city continues to increase, especially if MBPJ approves the construction of more high-rise buildings.
“Investing in better public transport could reduce the number of vehicles on the road, easing congestion and lessening the need for new road infrastructure,” he told FMT.
He called for the authorities to address the absence of direct public transport services connecting the north and south of the city, especially between the rail stations south of Petaling Jaya and light rail transit (LRT) stations in the north.
A bane to residents
Residents, however, voiced concern that the project may disrupt their way of life by encroaching on their housing areas.
Stakeholders cum Residents Against PJD Link (ScRAP) group chairman David Yoong argued that the city could do without the tunnel given its high cost and the absence of traffic studies indicating significant congestion on Jalan 51A/223.
Yoong said there were cheaper alternatives such as a flyover, which he suggested would likely cost less than the SMART Tunnel project.
“This flyover could link the end of Jalan Penchala to Taman Medan and extend to the Kesas Highway, bridging parts of Petaling Jaya separated by Old Klang Road and the NPE.
“For carrying stormwater, there are also much cheaper alternatives such as detention ponds or below-ground detention tanks,” he said.