Projects with a value less than R50 million
Construction of Mgcobaneni Bus Route and WINNER COMMENDATION Culvert by Nathoo Mbenyane Engineers for the City of Mbombela, Mpumalanga PROJECT TEAM
Client: City of Mbombela Consulting Engineer: Nathoo Mbenyane Engineers Main Contractor: Tshau Civils Subcontractor: 31 subcontractors
F
unded by the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG),
There were several recorded past disasters regarding failure
the Mgcobaneni Bus Route and Culvert formed
of precast culverts sitting on level concrete bases. NME therefore
part of the Infrastructure Delivery Improvement
introduced open serrations on the cast-in-situ base where the
Programme (IDIP) where access roads are upgraded
foot of the precast would sit. Further, the culvert was anchored
to bus routes that service low-income groups with no private vehicles. The Mgcobaneni Bus Route and Culvert services a
3 264-strong population. Approximately 3 km long and 7.4 m wide, the Mgcobaneni
to place using a 1 m x 200 mm ‘belt’ around the portal. By utilising the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), stakeholders benefited vastly through experience earned during the project term. There was on-the-job training of targeted
Bus Route was upgraded from gravel to a surfaced finish using
indigent groups, while encouraging resource delivery from the
80 mm thick segmented paved blocks.
local entities.
Alterations and design changes were undertaken to suit the
Training was initiated through a needs analysis of the scope of
existing road alignment within the built-up area. This was to
works for the project and advice from the local councillor/public
ensure that stormwater was safely diverted away from the
service commission. It ensured that basic work techniques were
road and to minimise the number of fences and building being
completed successfully.
taken down due to encroachment. The cross fall implemented was 2.5%, with a 4% (maximum)
The objective of the project was to develop sustainable homesteads and liveable settlements within the Mngcobaneni
super elevation applied at horizontal curves. Nathoo
area in Mpumalanga. The Mgcobaneni Bus Route and Culvert
Mbenyane Engineers (NME) further recommended adverse
project positively impacted the community and various
camber to control storm water to the high side of the road. In
participants financially, economically and socially, both during
these sections, the crossfall would be at 2.5%.
and after construction stage.
C E S A A o n E n g i n e e r i n g E x c e l l e n c e Aw a r d s 2 0 2 1
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