Construction of Mgcobaneni Bus Route and Culvert by Nathoo Mbenyane Engineers for the City of Mbombela, Mpumalanga

Construction of Mgcobaneni Bus Route and WINNER COMMENDATIONCulvert 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

Funded by the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG), the Mgcobaneni Bus Route and Culvert formed part of the Infrastructure Delivery Improvement Programme (IDIP) where access roads are upgraded 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 Bus Route was upgraded from gravel to a surfaced finish using 80 mm thick segmented paved blocks.

Alterations and design changes were undertaken to suit the existing road alignment within the built-up area. This was to ensure that stormwater was safely diverted away from the road and to minimise the number of fences and building being taken down due to encroachment.

The cross fall implemented was 2.5%, with a 4% (maximum) super elevation applied at horizontal curves. Nathoo Mbenyane Engineers (NME) further recommended adverse camber to control storm water to the high side of the road. In these sections, the crossfall would be at 2.5%. There were several recorded past disasters regarding failure of precast culverts sitting on level concrete bases. NME therefore introduced open serrations on the cast-in-situ base where the foot of the precast would sit. Further, the culvert was anchored 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 indigent groups, while encouraging resource delivery from the local entities.

Training was initiated through a needs analysis of the scope of works for the project and advice from the local councillor/public service commission. It ensured that basic work techniques were completed successfully.

The objective of the project was to develop sustainable homesteads and liveable settlements within the Mngcobaneni area in Mpumalanga. The Mgcobaneni Bus Route and Culvert project positively impacted the community and various participants financially, economically and socially, both during and after construction stage.