Recycling of old asphalt reduces costs

A single carriage-way between Kroonstad to Holfontein in the Free State is being upgraded to a four-lane dual carriage-way, thus reducing accidents and drastically easing congestion.

The project commenced in 2015 and is scheduled to be completed in August 2018. At the end of February 2018, 80% of the project had been completed. All that remains is surfacing of the road and some finishing touches.

"There was increasing congestion on this road, just before Kroonstad going towards Ventersburg, which necessitated the widening of the road. There were also many serious accidents," said Louw Venter, construction manager at Hilary Construction.

Some innovations were made during the construction of this road. At least 40% of the old road surface was recycled to be used in producing asphalt for the new road. This not only reduces the cost of the road, but is also environmentally friendly.

Watch: Video of roadworks Kroonstad to Holfontein:

"We recycle the old road and mix it into the new asphalt and surface it onto the new road," said Boeta Raath, plant and surfacing manager on the project.

The labour complement on the project is a mix of experienced staff and local labourers from Kroonstad. The locals had to be trained before the project started and that has given them valuable skills that will help them secure jobs in the future.

A local company, Godfrey Mmuso, is subcontracted to the main contractor, Hilary Construction. It does concrete work, v-drains and stone pitching.

Palesa Pete, director at the company, said: "We joined the project in August 2017 and have learnt so much since. I would have never received the opportunity to work on a national road had it not been for SANRAL.

"SANRAL insists on quality products and work, so our standard of work has improved tremendously. Participating in the project will also help improve our CIDB grading level."

The project also includes a bridge which serves as an interchange between Holfontein and Ventersburg. Bridge 322 connects two former gravel roads, one travelling east and the other west to Ventersburg. The road was dropped so that the N1 travels under the bridge.

Bridge 322 is the biggest bridge in the project. It's a post-stanchion bridge, as opposed to the traditional in-situ cast bridge.

Watch: Video of road works Holfontein to Ventersburg

Assistant Resident Engineer on the bridge project, Hans Stemperman, said: "The older bridges used a lot of steel for reinforcement. But this bridge has cables to hold up the weight."

One of the major challenges for the project was the heavy rainfall. The place where the bridge is taking place is a low-lying area. Culverts are being built to direct and control the flow of the water.