SHAH ALAM - The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project has reached a major milestone by completing excavation work on 38 tunnels, following two breakthroughs in Selangor earlier this week.
On April 6, the Rawang-Bestari Jaya Tunnel, measuring 189 metres became the 37th tunnel to be completed.
This was followed by the breakthrough of the 3.5-km-long Serendah 1 Tunnel on April 7—an achievement accomplished two months ahead of schedule, making it the 38th tunnel excavation completed for the project.
Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) Chief Executive Officer Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak said the smooth excavation works at ‘Serendah 1 Tunnel’ and ‘Rawang-Bestari Jaya Tunnel’ were attributed to the outstanding effort and commitment of the ECRL Project team at Section 8 and Section 9 respectively as well as adoption of advanced tunnelling techniques and safe construction practices.
"We achieved a major milestone with the smooth excavation of the 3.50 km long 'Serendah 1 Tunnel', which is central to the ECRL alignment linking Gombak to Port Klang in Selangor.
"Some 512,582 cubic meters of soil and rock were safely removed with minimal ground movement and minor inconvenience to the road users throughout the excavation period using the drill-and-blast method," he said.
The breakthrough of the Serendah 1 Tunnel involved the final blast on April 7, 2025, removing the last barrier approximately 2,046 meters from its exit portal.
The construction aligned with ECRL's commitment to minimising environmental impact, reducing forest clearing near Sungai Tua Recreational Forest and preserving the Batu Dam water catchment area.
Darwis added that the ‘Rawang-Bestari Jaya Tunnel’ was excavated via "benching” method to facilitate a bypass for the ECRL alignment instead of having to cut through a main road along Jalan Rawang-Bestari Jaya.
Of the 41 tunnels planned along the ECRL alignment, only three remain under excavation. These include the 16.39-km twin-bore Genting Tunnel and the 9.85-km Serendah 2 Tunnel.
The Genting Tunnel was in its final excavation phase using advanced Tunnel Boring Machines (TBMs) and was projected to achieve a breakthrough by mid-2025.
The Serendah 2 Tunnel, currently being excavated using the drill-and-blast method, was set for completion by Q3 2025.
Meanwhile, China Communications Construction (ECRL) Sdn Bhd (CCCECRL) Managing Director Deng Bo said the project’s focus on timely delivery and adherence to high safety and quality standards as it transitions into system installations.
"As the construction of the ECRL enters the new phase involving system installations, we remain focused on maintaining momentum and ensuring timely delivery.
"We are committed to deliver Malaysia’s national mega railway infrastructure with the highest standards of safety and quality, strengthening connectivity between the east and west coasts," he said.
The ECRL Project, spanning 665 km, aims to enhance connectivity between the East Coast and the Klang Valley. Phase 1, from Kota Bharu to the Gombak Integrated Terminal, is set for completion in December 2026, with operations beginning in January 2027.
Phase 2, connecting Gombak and Port Klang, is expected to be completed by December 2027 and operational by January 2028.
The ECRL electric multiple unit (EMU) passenger trains, capable of reaching speeds of 160 km/h, will reduce travel time between Kota Bharu and Gombak to four hours, compared to seven hours by road or over 12 hours during peak festive seasons.
Once operational, the ECRL is expected to significantly reduce travel time and ease congestion, enhancing convenience and boosting regional connectivity.