Rehabilitation of Road D3179 from Medingeng to Malematsa

– Client: Road Agency Limpopo (RAL)
– Project Completion: 24 July 2024
– Budget: R40 million

Severe erosion made parts of the road between Ga-Kgapene and Medingeng impassable. This significantly hindered the community’s access to jobs, markets, healthcare, and education, leading to increasing frustration and protests. To address this urgent issue, Road Agency Limpopo initiated a 15-month rehabilitation project. Completed in July 2024, the R40 million project, supervised by Makhaotse, Narasimulu and Associates (MNA), and constructed by Masheleni Trading & Projects, revitalized the 4.5 km, 6-meter-wide Class 4 road.

A key feature of the project was the restoration and expansion of the original 60 mm thick concrete block paved surface. This durable solution replaced degraded asphalt sections and incorporated additional engineering interventions to ensure long-lasting performance.

Approximately 70% of the concrete block paving is new, while the remaining portion was reused to promote sustainability. Designed to accommodate heavy vehicles, the new road offers improved stability and safety, particularly on steep sections.

Google Earth- The 4.5 km section

While concrete block paving might be more costly than an asphalt overlay, its long-term durability and reduced maintenance needs justified the investment, especially considering the unique conditions and topography. Moreover, the labor-intensive nature of the project created jobs and fostered skills development.

MNA’s assessment revealed that the existing asphalt sections were severely deteriorated with surface damage, water ingress, and structural deficiencies. Conventional repairs would not have addressed these underlying problems.

Erosion and Flood Mitigation

To prevent future erosion and landslides, common in the region, slope stabilization measures were implemented to protect the road and surrounding areas, especially during the rainy season.

Effective drainage systems, including culverts, dish crossings, and stormwater management infrastructure, have been installed to mitigate flood risks. The road’s design, including its grading and surface treatment, has been optimized to enhance drainage and improve traction.

The Software Solution

Thervlin Chetty explained the Civil Designer was the primary software used for this rehabilitation project and allowed the team to

– Conduct a regression analysis to precisely replicate the existing alignment.
– Address washaway issues by adjusting embankments to 1:2 batters and grading to existing levels while maintaining horizontal alignment.
– Implement a customized pavement improvement strategy based on geotechnical findings that utilized varying layerwork profiles.
– Easily widen inconsistent road sections.

“The regression analysis functionality enabled a precise recreation of the existing alignment, and the stormwater module proved crucial in redesigning the stormwater system that had caused the road’s degradation. The software’s user-friendly interface, features and functions streamlined the design process, ultimately contributing to a project that has transformed a previously untraversable road into one that is now actively used by the community.”

– Thervlin Chetty , Technologist at Makhaotse, Narasimulu and Associates.