A bridge connecting two Tanjungs

Tanjung is a Malay word that means the piece of coastal land that juts to the sea or any body of water. A cape. There are a number of well-known tanjungs or capes in Malaysia. Tanjung Rhu in Langkawi and Cape Rachado in Port Dickson are two that come to mind.

The title of today's post refers to two tanjungs in Johor that are not that well-known. This time last week, I had the opportunity to visit a project site where a new bridge is being built. The bridge (and its associated highway) is being constructed to connect the Port of Tanjung Pelepas on the east to the Tanjung Bin Petrochemical Hub on the west. The crossing spans Sungai Pulai, one of the significant rivers in the state. The river has its beginning at the foot of the similarly named Gunung Pulai and flows southward to the Johor Straits. The district of Johor Bahru is on the eastern bank while Pontian district is on the west. By the way, pulai is the name of a tree species and it has lent its name to many places throughout the country. But I digress.

The visit was made possible because the Chief Resident Engineer of the project is a friend. Furthermore, a joint-venture partner of the construction firm is a former employer. Since retiring from active project-related work plus further travel restrictions under MCO, I had gotten slightly bored being cooped up at home. When my CRE friend arranged for an unofficial tour of his worksite following the relaxation of inter-district travel, I jumped at the chance. It was a long-awaited opportunity to don construction safety gear, re-live the experience of spending a few hours under the hot sun and learn something new about bridge-building technology. Retirement does not mean a stop to the learning process.

The Sungai Pulai Bridge and its approach roads on either side have a total length of 7.5 kilometres. There are actually three bridges being built; the main bridge spanning Sg Pulai itself and two smaller bridges spanning Sg Boh and its tributary. Apart from linking two large developments on either side, the bridge would be open to the public and hence significantly cut the traveling time from Johor Bahru to the southern region of Pontian district. The bridge would carry a two-lane dual carriageway road that, as at the point of writing, would be toll-free. To allow for navigation, the central river channel has a clearance of 100 metres wide and 25 metres high.

At the time of our visit last week, the central span box girders of the main bridge were in progress of being cast. It would take another month or two before the central piers would be connected. Overall, I would expect the bridge to be fully open in under two-years time. Hopefully no further disruptions due to the covid-19 pandemic.

I am hoping to make another visit to the project towards the final stages of construction. Not to waste any opportunity to keep abreast of construction technology, especially with a project so close to home.

Thank you to CRE Ir. Shahrudin Muhayat and his team for a day well-spent.

Overall plan view of project displayed on a large signboard

View of central piers while crossing river by boat

Looking southwards from top of central pier. PTP quay cranes on the left

CRE on left hosting his two retired engineer friends