Tried-and-tested tar premix to be launched tomorrow

Better choice: The new tar premix being tested along Jalan Sungai Jati from KM1.80 to 2.61 heading towards the Jalan Raja Nong, Klang intersection.

SELANGOR will introduce a new tar premix to patch up potholes that can result in better road conditions and a 40% savings for local authorities.

The premix, called Cold Mix Carboncor, was used in a pilot project on June 25, and was tested for three months with a RM450,000 budget before being deemed suitable for roads in the state.

State Infrastructure and Public Facilities committee chairman Zaidy Abdul Talib said the new premix was durable and perfect for Malaysian weather.

Most importantly, he said, the cold mix can be laid even during the rainy season as opposed to the current AC14 premix, which would crack and break up.

Zaidy added that the Cold Mix needed water to be laid.

“The Cold Mix is estimated to save up to 25% for re-surfacing existing premix roads, 32% for new medium-to-high traffic urban roads and 40% for medium-to-high traffic rural roads,” he said.

However, the state will only use Cold Mix Carboncor to patch up existing roads.

The test that was conducted along Jalan Sungai Jati from KM1.80 to 2.61 heading towards the Jalan Raja Nong, Klang intersection. 

He said the decision was made after the test was conducted along Jalan Sungai Jati from KM1.80 to KM2.61 heading towards the Jalan Raja Nong intersection in Klang.

The premix was laid on 100m stretches at intervals alongside the current AC14 premix.

“We conducted two types of studies – non-destructive and destructive testing.

“The non-destructive test included the international roughness index, the surface texture as well as rutting, while the other included lab tests to determine density, bitumen content and finally, a sieve analysis,” Zaidy explained.

“From these tests, we concluded that there was not enough friction created by the new premix but it could be enhanced to be used as a surfacing premix in future.”

He also said during the testing, they realised they only needed 25mm of the Cold Mix for resurfacing works compared to twice the amount of AC14, which also needed a good foundation.

The Cold Mix also does not need new machinery and is currently being used in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Singapore as well as African countries such as Mozambique, Nigeria and Cameroon.

Zaidy said the Cold Mix would be recommended to all 12 local authorities in Selangor as well as the Public Works Department after a launch tomorrow.

He said the decision to encourage local authorities to use the Cold Mix was made on Oct 28 at the state secretariat.

Zaidy said the premix was durable and perfect for the Malaysian weather. 

The councils, he added, could use the Malaysian Road Record Information System (Marris) funds allocated to them by the state government to purchase the Cold Mix.

He said there would be a demonstration on the new premix during the launch tomorrow to educate the councils’ and their engineers on how to use it.

“This, we believe, will ensure fewer complaints on bad road conditions. We hope to extend its use to other agencies as well,” he added.

When asked how they would ensure utility companies provide good premix as well, Zaidy said they were looking at several options including a special seminar to educate independent contractors.

The news was well received by motorists all across Selangor; all hoping to get better roads in the near future.

Subang Jaya resident M. Theeban, 30, said it was about time the road conditions were improved to ensure their vehicles did not sustain damage.

“These days it is hard not to drive into a pothole and the impact will definitely take a toll on the car. Better roads will ensure we do not spend unnecessarily repairing our vehicles especially now with the escalating cost of living,” he said.

Theeban said it was frustrating to see newly patched roads developing potholes the very next day after resurfacing.

Section 12, Petaling Jaya, resident David Foo said it was an excellent idea.

He said it was good if the councils could at least patch up the potholes and later think of re-surfacing the roads from kerb to kerb.

“It may also be a good idea if councils can have a mobile vehicle checking on road conditions daily to conduct remedial works immediately instead of waiting for people to complain,” he said.

Vincent Raj, a resident from Taman Belimbing, Kajang, was happy the Government was experimenting with new technology.

The mix does not require new machinery and is currently being used in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Singapore as well as African countries such as Mozambique, Nigeria and Cameroon. 

“I must give them credit for that, because I am one of those who constantly complain about bad roads, especially in Kajang where many heavy vehicles ply the route,” he added.

Serdang MCA service centre chief Datuk Yap Pian Hon said the Cold Mix could only be judged after the local authorities had implemented it, but added that the work quality would be determined by the price of tenders issued.

“In the past, contractors had to cut corners as the tender price was too low.

“There will be no difference if the tender is too low even if the premix is better,” he said.