ABERDEEN NEWS — After problems experienced in March when disgruntled SMMEs did not get work on the main N9 project and temporarily closed the main route in protest, SANRAL responded that SMMEs in and near Aberdeen would be trained in the handling of tendering processes by SANRAL.
It was explained at that time that work on the portion of the road inside the town went to local companies and that a set portion of the rest is open to SMMEs following on a tender process.
Currently, several SMME local contractors are working on the roads in Aberdeen, resurfacing the main roads through the town, and there are many complaints from unhappy residents.
The first question from residents concerns the standard of the surface. SANRAL’s Sean Strydom, the project manager, explained the process of resurfacing:
“The roadworks currently underway in Aberdeen are specified as a 19mm Cape seal overlay. This consists of a single 19mm stone application followed by two layers of slurry. The first layer of slurry is struck off almost flush with the top of the 19mm aggregate and is pneumatically rolled with a “pneumatic tyre roller”. The more the first layer is subsequently traversed, the better.” This goes some way in alleviating the concerns of residents that what is seen at the moment would be the finished surface, whereas in fact there is still a second layer of slurry to be added.
“The second application of slurry began on Monday, 11 September from the Willowmore side of the main road. It must be noted that although this layer also receives pneumatic tyre roller action, Cape seal by nature improves with trafficking” explained Strydom.
The initial work on the section of Voortrekker Street from Rabie Street towards the N9 intersection to the south (Willowmore direction) was done 2-3 months ago, and after this length of time, residents could not be blamed for thinking that no further work would be done!
When Strydom was asked about the difference in the surface of the N9 and the roads in the town, he explained that the works on the N9 involve a double split seal which does not receive a slurry. “What the public may have noticed was the armour seal sections used over the recycled areas which is a very different treatment of the road surface with a different aim compared to the surfacing in town. This temporary layer was a finer 10mm aggregate with a single slurry application which was placed to protect the base layer until the final double seal is placed. The armour layer would feel much smoother to road users but is inherently not as durable as a surfacing being constructed in Aberdeen”.
In terms of quality of material used, Strydom stressed that the designated on-site laboratory has been taking the prescribed materials quality tests. Regarding the loose stones on the surface, he said that “although every effort was made to mitigate the situation, the construction method relies on an exposed strip of aggregate longitudinal and laterally at the construction joints to ensure a seamless joint”. This stone is inevitably ridden over especially by the occasional interlink trucks which still go through the town. This stone then finds itself on the new tender surface and is trampled in. These stones will be finally mechanically broomed off before the final slurry application which will leave a smoother final finish.
“To add to the above, we are going to carefully monitor the cleaning of the shoulders and are investigating some form of kerb/side drain rejuvenation as a final product” he added.
The second problem experienced involves signage and traffic control. This seems to be very poor, with motorists often uncertain which piece of the road can be driven on. There are lines of the black and yellow delineators, but in many places, they have either been knocked over by large trucks (or small boys!) and can stay misaligned for a whole day. Lanes, where motorists are supposed to drive, seem to suddenly "disappear" and narrow, to the extent that people have to make a U-turn as there is no road left to drive on. This problem was exacerbated on Monday this week, with no traffic controllers in sight.
A senior person working near the church told one driver that the subcontractors involved in traffic control, Shimaka, were on strike. SANRAL has not responded to the Advertiser’s query in this regard. Voortrekker Road, in the main business area, was also blocked several times on Monday by trucks (once again with no signage or flag personnel) causing several motorists to have to make u-turns in the street.
When the Willowmore exit section of Voortrekker was closed completely, there was no alternative route given -locals knew the way around, but several complaints were received from tourists who were totally lost.
According to SANRAL, the complex layout of the roads in Aberdeen, with the circles around the park and church, together with the need to try and keep all businesses accessible to the general public, meant that careful consideration of traffic control measures was needed. These measures were discussed and workshopped, and construction sequences were evaluated until the most favourable system was confirmed for implementation. The focus was to make use of light, traffic friendly signage together with flag personnel procured from the local community to assist in directing the public in a sometimes confusing construction environment. “We constantly strive to maintain and assist in this regard. As quite often is the case in built-up areas, damage and manipulation of signage by others, not necessarily on purpose, can easily create very confusing situations. Our site representation makes every effort to try and resolve these issues as they arise” said Strydom. Most motorists complained that in fact very few flag personnel were seen on the roads.
After the considerable disruption experienced over a period of months, motorists and businesses in the town hope that the final product will be worth all the inconvenience.
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