ECRL Achieves 38 Tunnel Excavations Ahead of Schedule

Marcus Liew
Apr 22
2 min read

The East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project has successfully completed excavation works for 38 tunnels, two months ahead of schedule, marking a significant milestone in one of Malaysia’s most ambitious infrastructure projects.

The progress puts the project on track to complete 41 tunnel breakthroughs by Q3 2025, according to Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL).

Serendah and Rawang Tunnel Breakthroughs Drive Progress

The latest breakthroughs were achieved early this week in Selangor, with the completion of:

Serendah 1 Tunnel (3.5km)
Rawang-Bestari Jaya Tunnel (189m)

These tunnels are part of the critical west coast section of the alignment and signal a smooth continuation of tunneling efforts.

Final Three Tunnels Nearing Completion

Only three tunnels remain under excavation:

Twin-bore Genting Tunnel (16.39km) — Malaysia’s longest rail tunnel, with a breakthrough expected in mid-2025
Serendah 2 Tunnel (9.85km) — targeted for completion by Q3 2025

Advanced Techniques and Strong Team Credited

MRL CEO Datuk Seri Darwis Abdul Razak praised the ECRL team’s commitment and the use of advanced tunneling technologies.

“The successful breakthroughs are a result of our team’s dedication, coupled with safe and efficient construction practices,” he said.

Deng Bo, Managing Director of China Communications Construction (ECRL) Sdn Bhd, added that the project is now transitioning into a new phase:

“With tunneling nearing completion, we are entering the system installation stage and remain focused on timely project delivery.”

Completion Timeline and Operational Targets

The 665km ECRL project is divided into two main phases:

Phase 1: Kota Bharu (Kelantan) to Gombak Integrated Terminal (Selangor)
- Completion: December 2026
- Operations Begin: January 2027
Phase 2: Gombak to Port Klang
- Completion: December 2027
- Operations Begin: January 2028

Transforming Rail Travel Across Peninsular Malaysia

Upon completion, the ECRL will enable passengers to travel from Kota Bharu to Gombak in just four hours at speeds of up to 160kph, compared to approximately seven hours by road.

MRL is the project owner, while China Communications Construction Company Ltd serves as the engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning contractor.