World Cup 2010: Key freeway project on track

SSI Engineers and Environmental Consultants, in joint venture with BEE partners, Ntsu Engineering Consultants and Eyesizwe Consultants, have just completed the construction supervision phase of a R162 million contract awarded by the Mbombela Local Municipality to contractors Sanyati/Big Eye JV for the upgrading of the 7km section of the R40 highway (Madiba Drive) in Nelspruit between Dr Enos Mabuza Drive and the P166.

SSI’s Duncan Mason indicated that the design, documentation and construction supervision contract awarded to the SSI, Ntsu, Eyesizwe JV in September 2007, required the 7km section of the R40, which forms part of the access road network to the Mbombela Stadium in Mattafin, a FIFA World Cup 2010 venue, to be increased from a four-lane to a six-lane dual carriageway. The primary purpose of this widening is to provide for additional lanes to be used as reserved high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes during peak traffic periods — the first of their kind in the Nelspruit area.

“The R40, which extends from Barberton in the south to White River in the north and traverses and services the industrial areas of Nelspruit, is heavily trafficked and was operating over capacity during peak hours,” he says. “In addition, traffic generated during World Cup 2010 is expected to significantly increase demand on the route. The project was therefore initiated to ease congestion and improve traffic flow both during normal peak periods and during the World Cup 2010.”

The World Cup 2010 begins next week. The R162 million project includes the widening of the road to facilitate the addition of a third lane in each direction, the upgrading and resurfacing of 12 intersections, the widening of five existing bridges; Railway Bridge, Bosch Street Underpass, Spruit Bridge, Canal Bridge and Crocodile River Bridge; upgrading of street lighting, road signage and traffic signals and essential maintenance repairs to the road pavement, including a 13.2mm modified binder single seal surfacing.

Construction work commenced in September 2008 and practical completion was achieved by 30 April 2010, at which time the Mbombela Local Municipality had uninterrupted use of the road. All construction works were undertaken under trafficked conditions, utilising half width closures to accommodate traffic flow on this key route.

Recognising the increasing pressure on road authorities to shift the emphasis from new construction to the efficient utilisation and preservation of existing networks, SSI introduced a specialist service as far back as 1982 to assist clients in the field of pavement design and rehabilitation. Since then, a wide variety of design and rehabilitation projects has been undertaken, covering everything from minor municipal streets to major freeways, small to major airports, small parking facilities to large industrial vehicle depots and major mine haul and industrial roads.

SSI is a multi-disciplinary consultancy that tailors solutions for clients involved in infrastructure development. The company’s services cover the complete spectrum of lifecycle needs within the sectors of transport, water, environmental, energy and resources, buildings & structures and project & construction management. Its majority shareholder is the DHV Group, one of Europe's leading engineering firms with representation in more than 30 countries.

Edited by Kevin Doyle