TZANEEN TO SOEKMEKAAR
Contract: The Reconstruction of National Route R36/Section 7 and 8: between Tzaneen (km20.1) to Soekmekaar (km46.1) (66 km)
CONTRACT VALUE: R200,000.60
COMMENCEMENT DATE: 28th July 2010
CONTRACT PERIOD: 20 MONTHS
CONTRACT ENDS: 1st March 2012
LABOUR CONTENT: R9,122,830.00
ABE CONTENT: R20,000,050
KPMM MANAGEMENT TEAM
CONTRACTS DIRECTOR: KEVIN PADAYACHEE
CONTRACTS MANAGER: LANE BREETZKE
SITE AGENT: FRANCOIS VAN WYK
The project was located in the Tzaneen district of the Limpopo Province. The project route consisted of two sections of National Route R36:
Section 7 between Tzaneen (km 2,3) and Modjadjiskloof (km 19,5) and
Section 8 between Modjadjiskloof (km 1,0) and Soekmekaar (km 46,5). This route was a two lane rural road with gravel shoulders along most of the length.
THE PROJECT WAS IN THREE (3) PHASES :
Phase 1: Tzaneen to Modjadjis Kloof – 17.20 km
Phase 2: Modjadis Kloof to Moketsi – 15.70 km
Phase 3: Moketsi to Soekmekaar – 28.00 km
BRIEF SCOPE OF WORKS:
EXISTING PAVEMENT STRUCTURE
Two different pavement structures occur along the route.
The existing pavement structures along the route are as follows:
STRUCTURES CONCRETE: 4,139 m3
MASS EARTHWORKS: 9420 m3
SINGLE SEAL: 903,200 m2
Asphalt: 29,451 tons
SECTION 7: KM 2.3 TO KM 19.5
Surfacing: The bituminous surfacing generally consisted of multiple seals.The average thickness of the surfacing was 30 mm
Base: The base layer consisted of crushed stone (dolerite) varying in thickness between 155 mm and 225 mm with an average thickness of 200mm
Sub base: The sub base mostly comprised of fine gravel material. The combined thickness varied between 160 mm and 310 mm, with an average thickness of +/- 180 mm
Selected: The selected layer mostly comprised of fine graded or sandy gravel. The average thickness was 170 mm
SECTION 8: MODLADJISKLOOF (KM 1.0) TO SOEKMEKAAR (KM 46.5)
Surfacing: The existing surfacing along this section typically consisted of multiple seals varying in thickness from 35 mm to 45 mm.
Base: The base layer comprises of fine natural gravel consisting of dolerite, granite or quartz. The thickness varied between 145 mm and 220 mm with an average thickness of approximately 190 mm
Sub base: The sub base comprised mostly of fine gravel or sandy clay. The thickness varied between 70 mm and 320 mm with an average thickness of approximately 180 mm
Selected: The selected layer mostly comprised of sandy materials and varied in thickness between 120 mm and 190 mm with an average thickness of approximately 120 mm
The existing base was stabilised with bitumen, overlaid with asphalt and single seal layer. This is a well designed and constructed road that will last a lifetime. The final product that reflects beauty as it winds through valleys and over hills.
The Challenge of meeting the strict blast design requirements.
Formation of the rock along the cutting varied made precision drilling very difficult. Due to the height of the cutting and the formation of the rock, blasting it had to be done at different levels. The limited space and topography made it extremely difficult to move and position the drill rigs.