SMEC SA plays a leading role in the R228-million upgrade of the R55

13 December 2012
The South African division of international engineering consultancy firm SMEC has played an instrumental role in the rehabilitation and upgrade of the R55 dual carriageway in Tshwane, which was officially opened to motorists on November 22, 2012
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application/msword iconSMEC SA plays a leading role in the R228-million upgrade of the R5533.5 KBDownload
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PreviewCondition of the road pavement prior to construction3.38 MBDownload
PreviewExpanded Public Works Programme, local labour training Certificates, presented by Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Dr Ismail 1.46 MBDownload
PreviewExpanded Public Works Programme, local labour training Certificates, presented by Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Dr Ismail 1.6 MBDownload
PreviewGauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Dr Ismail Vadi cutting the ribbon for the formal opeing of the R55.897.42 KBDownload
PreviewGauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Dr Ismail Vadi, addresses the local community prior to the formal opening of the R55 project897.42 KBDownload
PreviewSMEC South Africa technical director Tshepo Matshego5.3 MBDownload
PreviewThumbs up given by all for the opening of the R55232.84 KBDownload
PreviewWhat the area on the northern end of the project used to look like prior to construction...3.34 MBDownload
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PRESS RELEASE

SMEC SA plays a leading role in the R228-million upgrade of the R55

13 December, 2012: The South African division of international engineering consultancy firm SMEC has played an instrumental role in the rehabilitation and upgrade of the R55 dual carriageway in Tshwane, which was officially opened to motorists on November 22, 2012.  

After successfully completing the R200-million Phase 1 section of the project in November 2010, which entailed the construction of a dual carriageway between the N14 freeway and Wierda Road, SMEC South Africa was immediately appointed as the project management consultant for Phase 2 of the infrastructure upgrade project undertaken by the Gauteng Provincial Government.

This project involved more than R228-million worth of upgrading and rehabilitation work to the 4,2 km section of the R55 carriageway from Sunderland Ridge to Laudium, which is a major arterial road between Johannesburg and Pretoria, which also connects the region to the N14 freeway.

SMEC South Africa technical director Tshepo Matshego explains that the company's scope of work included the upgrade of the road from a single carriageway to a dual carriageway, and the construction of two bridges over the Hennops River. To improve safety and night-time visibility, 10 km of street lighting was installed over the full length of the road, from the N14 interchange into Laudium.

"The narrow 6-m-wide single carriageway could not cope with the increased traffic volumes, and SMEC South Africa designed the works such that the appointed contractor constructed the new carriageway, while leaving the existing road open to minimise the impact on traffic," he explains. "The fully completed carriageway is world class, and is now separated by a wide median and paved shoulder to ensure further motorist safety."

Matshego notes that the erection of the two bridges over the Hennops River proved to be a major challenge, due to the dolomitic nature of the soil, which is prone to sinkholes. "In order to ensure the structural integrity of the bridges, we had to ensure that the bridge piles were securely founded on subsurface rock, which was up to 25 m deep at certain points."

The piles were successfully sunk using the ODEX piling method, which involves the application of pressurised air during excavation to remove any debris. Matshego adds: "While this method proved to be successful, it did take longer than anticipated to sink the piles, due to the fact that pockets of underground air caused the excavation machinery to jam. Despite this, we managed to reach bedrock with piles varying between 8 m and 25 m in depth."

Matshego highlights the fact that unseasonably high rainfall between December 2010 and March 2011 also proved to be a major challenge. "The heavy rainfall and variability of the ground conditions delayed the piling works for five months, which in turn delayed the progress on the two bridges crossing the Hennops River. Some isolated sinkholes also developed on the road, which required rectification and bridging by utilising geotextiles to strengthen the immediate areas."

Commenting at the official opening of the new R55 dual carriageway on Tuesday November 22, 2012, Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Ismail Vadi hailed the project as an overwhelming success.  “The successful and timely completion of this dual carriageway ensures that road users are provided with a safe and quality alternative route to the Ben Schoeman freeway, which often sees heavy traffic volumes. I thank all contractors for the quality of the road, and it's timeous delivery."

In addition to creating a more advanced and efficient road network for motorists, Matshego points out that Phase 2 of the R55 upgrade project also generated skills development within the surrounding community, with more than 150 local jobs being created as a direct result of the project. "All of the locally employed contractors received full training and certificates of qualification in their respective fields, which will go a long way in ensuring that they are better equipped for future employment."

Looking to the future, Vadi announced at the opening ceremony that the remaining sections of the R55 between Main Road in Laudium and Maunde Street in Atteridgeville would be scheduled for rehabilitation in the next financial year at an estimated cost of R50 million. Matshego concludes by adding that he is confident that SMEC South Africa is in a strong position to be awarded this extension, given the company's excellent track record on the project to date.

 

Ends

Notes to the Editor
There are numerous photographs specific to this press release. Please visit http://media.ngage.co.za   and click the Vela VKE (Part of the SMEC Group) link.

About SMEC
Australian based SMEC has more than 4 000 employees and an established network of over 60 offices worldwide. SMEC provides consultancy services for the lifecycle of a project to a broad range of sectors, which include; hydropower, transport, water, natural resources and environment, geotechnical, mining, tunnelling, urban development,  renewable energy, power,  government and advisory services and social infrastructure development. Following the Vela VKE merger, the SMEC Group now has over 5 000 employees and an established network of over 70 offices in 36 countries throughout Australia, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, the Pacific, North and South America.

SMEC South Africa Contact
Tshepo Matshego
Technical Director  
Address: 230 Albertus Street, La Montagne, Pretoria, South Africa, 0184
Phone: (012) 481 3810
Fax: (012) 803 7943
Cell: 082 332 2270
Email: kostas [dot] rontiris [at] smec [dot] com

Media Contact
Renay Tandy
NGAGE Public Relations
Phone: (011) 867-7763
Fax: 086 512 3352
Cell: 082 562 5088
Email: renay [at] ngage [dot] co [dot] za
Web: www.ngage.co.za