KUALA LUMPUR: Rubberised asphalt will now be used to build future roads nationwide after several pilot projects showed it to be resilient, tough and needing less maintenance.
In saying that the Works Ministry was “almost sure” about this, Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof said pilot projects were carried out in the Kota Baru-Machang highway and Yong Peng-Segamat-Gemas highway, covering about 100km.
“The highways are under construction. So far, the studies are very encouraging and we are fine-tuning to make it viable.
“The rubber used to mix with the asphalt is not made from discarded or shredded tyre but from a cheaper version to keep costs low.
“We are pleased with the prospects and will further put the method to test,” he told reporters after opening the 1km Kuchai Link Ramp, connecting the New Pantai Expressway to the Sungai Besi highway, here on Wednesday.
Fadillah said feedback was very encouraging and rubberised pavement could be used as the main component for highways in the future, although it cost slightly higher.
Fadillah said the rubberised asphalt had been tested for more than three years and his ministry was collating all the data to ensure its effectiveness and better quality of roads.
“Although it is slightly more expensive than the conventional bitumen and asphalt combination, the cost will also depend on the price of rubber,” he said.
On the ramp, Fadillah praised IJM Group for financing and delivering the project three months ahead of schedule.
He said the ramp would ease congestion in the area after the MRT2 Kuchai Lama station was completed.
