MMC Gamuda | EDTP - The Journey of Connectivity

Summary

The Ipoh Perak Electrified Double Track Project (EDTP) is a monumental effort to modernize Malaysia's rail network, transforming the old colonial-era single tracks into high-speed, electrified double tracks. Spanning 329 km across northern states, the project involved complex engineering feats, including twin tunnels through mountains, viaducts over freshwater lakes, and a unique swing bridge. The project significantly improves transportation efficiency, reducing travel times and environmental impact, while enhancing socio-economic development in rural areas. With state-of-the-art infrastructure, it integrates advanced signaling, communication systems, and environmental conservation, positioning Malaysia's rail network as a symbol of innovation and progress.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Ipoh-Perak Moosa Electrified Double Track Project (EDTP) is a major railway modernization project in Malaysia aimed at increasing rail capacity and reducing carbon emissions.
• 😀 The project involves replacing an old colonial-era single-track railway with a double track for increased capacity, speed, and efficiency.
• 😀 Electric trains introduced in the project are 20-30% more energy-efficient, reducing fuel consumption and making rail transport significantly greener compared to road transport.
• 😀 The new electrified railway reduces travel time dramatically, such as the nine-hour journey from KL to Butterworth being cut down to just three and a half hours.
• 😀 The project not only focuses on passenger transportation but also enhances freight transport, supporting industries like cement, rice, and rubber across Malaysia and neighboring countries.
• 😀 The construction phase included overcoming major engineering challenges, such as tunneling through steep mountains and constructing a viaduct over a large freshwater lake.
• 😀 One of the most significant engineering feats was the creation of twin-bore tunnels through Bukit Rapid, one of the longest railway tunnels in Southeast Asia.
• 😀 The project also involved building a swing bridge, a unique feature in Southeast Asia, modified to accommodate the new dual tracks and electrification system.
• 😀 Over 28 kilometers of the railway were built on marine clay, requiring advanced engineering techniques like deep piling to ensure track stability and prevent flooding.
• 😀 The project also incorporated environmental and cultural considerations, such as restoring the historic clock tower at Alor Setar Station to preserve local heritage.
• 😀 Advanced signaling, communications, and safety systems were developed to ensure efficient and safe railway operations, with robust integration for centralized control and emergency management.

Q & A

What was the primary goal of the Ipoh-Perak Moosa Electrified Double Track Project (EDTP)?

The primary goal of the EDTP was to rebuild Malaysia's old colonial single-track railway into a double-track system to increase line capacity, replace old diesel powertrains with faster electric trains, and reduce carbon emissions by 20-30%.

How much did the Ipoh-Perak Moosa Electrified Double Track Project cost?

The project was awarded at a cost of 12.5 billion ringgit.

How long is the new electrified double track, and which states does it span?

The new electrified double track spans 329 kilometers and crosses four northern states: Perak, Penang, Kedah, and Perlis.

What are the benefits of the new electrified double-track railway for passengers and businesses?

The new railway system offers more reliable, cheaper, and comfortable transport, leading to reduced congestion on highways. Trains are also more fuel-efficient than trucks and provide a faster travel time, e.g., reducing the KL-Butterworth journey from 9 hours to 3.5 hours.

What was the biggest challenge in constructing the railway on existing tracks?

The biggest challenge was building the new double-track on the existing single-track line, as space was confined, and the safety of train operations and workers was a top priority.

How were the tunnels through Bukit Rapit and other mountainous areas constructed?

The tunnels were constructed using the drill-and-blast method, where pre-determined holes were drilled into the granite, explosives were inserted, and the area was cleared before blasting. The process was done with strict safety protocols.

What innovative method was used to tunnel beneath the North-South Expressway?

For this section, micro-tunneling was used, which caused minimal disturbance and no disruption to the expressway. A slurry shield machine inserted hollow steel pipes to form the tunnel, ensuring the safety of the road above.

What special measures were taken to protect the Bukit Merah Lake during construction?

To protect the Bukit Merah Lake, a silk curtain was anchored tightly to the lake bed to prevent construction debris from contaminating the water supply. The water treatment plant remained operational throughout the construction period without any contamination.

What was the key design feature of the swing bridge constructed for the project?

The new swing bridge was designed to allow the passage of ships while also accommodating the dual tracks and electrification infrastructure. It operates with an electro-hydraulic pivot, which opens in 5 minutes, and can be powered independently with backup generators.

How were the communications and signaling systems integrated into the project?

The project involved installing over 3,000 kilometers of ruggedized fiber-optic cables for communications. These cables supported signaling, ticketing, station communications, and other functions, with systems integrated into KTM’s centralized control centers in KL and Bukit Mertajam to monitor train operations safely.