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The consultancy is also working with local provincial maintenance
teams and supporting the development, improvement andmanage-
ment of materials supply.
There are approximately 10 000 km of gravel roads within the Western
Cape (excluding minor roads), of which approximately 1 300 km are located
within the Overberg region. These rural roads are susceptible to changes
in traffic volumes, material properties, precipitation, temperature and even
flooding which can lead to increased deterioration.
Regular maintenance activities include regravelling or spot re-gravelling,
reworking, hard or regular blading, patching, and pothole and shoulder
OVERBERG RE-GRAVELLING PROJECT
Mott MacDonald is assisting the Western Cape
Government with planning, design and control
aspects of the maintenance of gravel roads within
the Overberg region – one of four regions in the
province.
repairs. Suitable material sources available such as shale, mudstone, sand-
stone, limestone, granite or ferricrete need to be sourced sustainably and
where possible aggregate will be obtained locally through borrow pits.
Mott MacDonald has previously supported re-gravelling and mainte-
nance strategies in the Western Cape Province. The consultancy is using
this experience to develop strategic planning and optimisation models for
the sourcing and use of suitable materials from borrow pits. The condition
of gravel roads will undergo detailed visual assessments and combined with
annual panel inspections will contribute to an overall view of the manage-
ment of the road network.
Robbie Uys, Mott MacDonald’s project director, said:“Road maintenance
in this province is quite challenging due to the limited local resources and
material sources available. This is mountainous topography, which includes
expensive agricultural or even heritage sites, with a highly sensitive and
endangered natural vegetation or fauna. In all cases, borrow pits will be
developed in agreement with landowners and in accordance with national
mining and environmental regulations. This will enable the most sustainable
efficient solution is found.”
PROJECTS AND CONTRACTS
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