Construction of a 9km gravel access road in mbanjana, port st. Johns local municipality

Scope: Construction of a 9km gravel access road in Ward 08 of Port St. Johns Local Municipality, Eastern Cape, benefiting Mbanjana and Majola villages (400 households, 2220 people).

Key Deliverables:

• Site establishment, clearing, bulk earthworks, rip & re-compacting roadbed.
• Drainage structures: pipe culverts, inlets/outlets, grouted stone packing, concrete works, low-level stream crossings.
• Subgrade: 150mm Gravel Material G7, compacted to 93% Modified AASHTO.
• Wearing course: 150mm G5/G6, compacted to 95% Modified AASHTO.
• Two unsurfaced 2.5m minimum lanes with 2.5% camber.
• Stormwater drainage, erosion protection, road signs, and miscellaneous items.
• Concrete work on steep sections.

Standards: COLTO Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Works apply. Order of precedence: Drawings > Scope of Work > COLTO.

Site Conditions: Access via R61 from Port St. Johns towards Tombo AA (~10km), then right towards Majola tea estate (~18km). Tar road access in Mbanjana village.

Labour Intensive Construction (LIC) Requirements:

• Contractor must employ local labour from Mbanjana and surrounding communities (within 10km radius).
• LIC activities: trench excavation (up to 1.2m depth), backfilling/compaction, concrete batching/mixing/transport, stormwater infrastructure, precast concrete elements (e.g., inlet cover slabs).
• Task-based productivity rates apply (e.g., soft material excavation: 2–5.5m³/day; clayey material: 1–3m³/day).
• Minimum daily wages: Skilled = R300/day, Unskilled = R170/day. Payment linked to productivity; fortnightly payments for tasks completed.
• Contractor must submit detailed daily labour records to the Municipality.
• Protective clothing, OHSA compliance, and training required for all employees.
• No persons under 16 years allowed on LIC projects.

Site Security: Contractor responsible for safety, security of personnel/materials, and liaison with local police/community forums. Must provide all necessary security measures.

Environmental Requirements:

• Minimal disturbance to environment; site must be kept clean and free of rubble/waste daily.
• No burning of rubble, trees, or bush on site. Stacking of cut-down trees/vegetation prohibited (fire hazard).
• Roads used for transport must be kept clean and dirt-free daily.
• Contractor must erect temporary fences to prevent unauthorised movement outside designated working areas.
• No trees/shrubs removed from road reserve unless instructed by Municipality. No vegetation disturbed unless directly required for work.
• Dust control measures required (e.g., regular treatment of haul/access roads).
• Refuse control system required; all waste must be disposed of in refuse bins.

Drawings: Provided to appointed contractor. Contractor must verify all dimensions/levels and report discrepancies before commencing work. No scaling of drawings unless instructed.

Testing and Quality Control:

• Contractor must engage an approved, independent testing laboratory for material and layerworks testing.
• Costs for testing included in tendered rates; no separate payment.
• Municipality reserves the right to conduct additional tests; contractor may be liable for failed test costs.

Additional Requirements:

• Contractor must provide and maintain notices, signs, barricades, and advertisements (Municipality approval required).
• Traffic accommodation: Public right of way must be maintained; Contractor must control equipment/vehicle movement to avoid hazards. Road signs/warning signs must be kept in good condition.
• Haul roads: Contractor responsible for maintenance and reinstatement of public/private roads used for haulage. Must agree requirements with local authorities in writing before use.
• Survey work: Contractor must check beacons/reference marks, submit setting-out method to Municipality, and supply instruments/equipment for survey checks. No separate payment for survey work.
• Spoil material: No indiscriminate spoiling; must be disposed of at Municipality-approved sites complying with regulations.
• Existing services: Contractor must locate/safeguard existing services; liable for damage costs. Must notify Municipality immediately of any damage.
• Site facilities: Contractor responsible for own power supply, water, ablution facilities (1 toilet per 10 workmen), housing/transport for employees, and refuse disposal. No Municipality-provided housing.
• Programme of work: Contractor must submit a programme for Municipality approval (Contract Programme). Must update monthly with critical path indicated. Failure to comply may result in Municipality using its own assumptions for time/cost evaluations.
• Monthly progress reports required, including: progress summary, late activities/mitigation, plant/labour/material status, and COVID-19 compliance.
• Maintenance period: 6 months from date of completion. Contractor responsible for road reserve maintenance from handover until end of maintenance period.
• Completion: Works must be completed within 6 months (including December/January holidays and special non-working days) from receipt of written order.