PORT KLANG, Malaysia’s largest port, is a crucial hub for international trade and logistics. However, the roads leading to the port, particularly those used by heavy trucks transporting containers, have become severely damaged due to constant traffic and heavy loads.
The situation has created immense inconvenience for road users, contributing to delays, higher maintenance costs, and safety concerns, with high number of accidents and loss of several thousand manhours for the ports.
Which is why the recent call by the Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi to construct and upgrade the Pulau Indah Ring Road and Klang North roads using stronger and resilient paving materials is timely and long awaited.
As the minister articulated, the solution lies in improving the quality of the infrastructure, focusing on the development of roads that can withstand the stress of heavy trucks, while ensuring the safety and efficiency of transport operations.
Road Damage and Its Impact
The primary cause of the deteriorating roads in Port Klang is the heavy traffic from large container trucks. These trucks place immense pressure on the road surface, causing cracks, potholes, and general wear and tear. This not only increases the risk of accidents but also leads to higher maintenance costs for both the road transport industry and government agencies, especially the highway concessionaires and Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR).
As the roads deteriorate, vehicle operating costs for transport companies also increase due to frequent repairs, fuel inefficiency from rough roads, and delays in transportation.
Redesigning Roads for Heavy Loads
In order to address these issues, the roads in Port Klang must be reconstructed in a way that can handle the heavy load and constant traffic, drawing on proven methods used in other parts of the world. One effective approach would be to redesign the roads similarly to how high-traffic routes, such as those in Sydney, Australia, are built to withstand heavy truck loads. This means ensuring that the roads are reinforced using high-strength materials designed for durability.
Reinforced Concrete Pavement (RCP)
Unlike conventional asphalt, reinforced concrete pavement (RCP) offers superior strength and durability. RCP is able to withstand the high compressive forces applied by heavy trucks, especially in areas with frequent, high-weight traffic.
Concrete is ideal for high-load areas like Port Klang, where trucks carrying containers can weigh tens of tons.
The key to RCP lies in the use of steel reinforcement bars, or rebar, which are embedded within the concrete to provide additional strength. This reinforcement ensures that the pavement can withstand the stresses of heavy traffic over an extended period.
In Sydney, many of the city’s busy truck routes use this type of construction, which has proven to be cost-effective over the long term despite higher initial costs.
Steel Reinforcement and Pre-stressed Concrete Slabs
Another method commonly used in high-load infrastructure construction, particularly in cities like Sydney, is the integration of steel bars within pre-stressed concrete slabs, which I witnessed while driving on the Hume Highway.
They placed steel tendons within the concrete and applying tension to them before the concrete is cast. The result is a concrete slab that is pre-tensioned, giving it greater resistance to cracking and increasing its ability to handle heavy loads without deforming over time.
The use of pre-stressed concrete would be highly beneficial for the roads around Port Klang, as it provides a long-lasting, durable surface capable of withstanding constant truck traffic. Given the port’s importance as a logistics hub, it is essential that road quality and lifespan are maximized to ensure smooth operations.
Proper Drainage Systems due to peat soil grounds
One of the often-overlooked elements in road construction is drainage. In the case of Port Klang, the roads experience heavy rainfall, which can cause significant damage to the surface if water is not properly drained, and its natural peat soil conditions compounds the matter.
Waterlogged roads can exacerbate existing damage, leading to premature wear. Therefore, the incorporation of efficient drainage systems into the road design is critical. This includes not only proper cambering of the road to facilitate water runoff but also strategically placed drainage channels and culverts to prevent water from pooling on the surface.
In Sydney, the integration of effective drainage systems in the road network has proven essential in prolonging the life of roads subjected to heavy vehicular traffic.
Frequent Maintenance and Monitoring
While construction quality is critical, regular maintenance and monitoring are equally important to ensure that the roads remain in good condition. Implementing a system for regular inspections and prompt repairs, especially after severe weather or heavy traffic surges, will help maintain road quality. In many international port cities, maintenance schedules are part of a broader plan that involves periodic resurfacing and crack sealing to prevent further deterioration.
Port Klang needs dedicated infrastructure team
Port Klang needs a dedicated JKR team to manage and maintain the roads. The current team is inadequate nor feasible. Port Klang throughput exceeded 14 million TEU’s, thus contributing the economy of the country and particularly Selangor.
Several ports around the world have dealt with similar issues and have adopted advanced infrastructure techniques to address the challenges posed by heavy truck traffic.
Port of Rotterdam (Netherlands)
As Europe’s largest port, Rotterdam faces significant challenges related to heavy transport vehicles. The city has invested in reinforced concrete road systems, alongside specialized truck routes designed to distribute the weight load evenly across the road network. The use of high-strength concrete, combined with regular maintenance and specialized drainage systems, ensures that the roads remain functional and durable over time.
Port of Los Angeles (USA)
The Port of Los Angeles, one of the busiest ports in the world, has implemented a series of infrastructure improvements to handle the heavy trucks that access the port daily.
The city has adopted an innovative method of using recycled materials, including rubberized asphalt, to improve the resilience of the roads. This not only improves the road surface but also contributes to sustainability by recycling materials that would otherwise go to waste.
Port of Sydney (Australia)
Sydney’s approach to port road construction focuses on using high-strength concrete, steel reinforcement, and pre-stressed concrete slabs for the major truck routes leading to the port. In addition, the city has introduced comprehensive traffic management and maintenance programs to ensure that roads continue to meet the demands of the logistics sector.
To ensure that Port Klang remains a vital player in global trade, its infrastructure must be modernized to meet the demands of the logistics sector.
By adopting proven techniques used in cities like Sydney, Rotterdam, and Los Angeles, Malaysia can build roads that are durable, efficient, and safe for all users. The combination of reinforced concrete, steel reinforcement, pre-stressed slabs, and efficient drainage systems will allow the port’s roads to withstand the stress of heavy truck traffic for years to come, while reducing maintenance costs for transport providers and improving road safety for all road users.
This investment in infrastructure will not only reduce logistical delays but also boost Malaysia’s economic competitiveness by ensuring that Port Klang continues to be a world-class port.
Port Klang is expected to be ranked 10th in terms of its container business volume, by the world ranking.
While the budget is provided for by the tax payers, hope the authorities involved in executing the road upgrade ensures a true world class road without negating the quality and durability of the road network in Port Klang, to meet the demands of the present and the future.
Ravindran Raman Kutty is a communications professional with extensive experience in the port and logistics industry