Constructing for and with the community

Community liaison and engagement is crucial for the successful execution of infrastructure projects in South Africa. Knight Piésold Consulting, working in conjunction with its client’s professional team, demonstrates how first-class results can be achieved on a complex programme delivered for the City of Cape Town Roads and Stormwater Department.

During 2014, Knight Piésold was appointed by the City of Cape Town to design and manage the rehabilitation of Stock Road between Govan Mbeki Road and the R300 in Philippi. The design made provision for non-motorised transport (NMT) and integrated rapid transit (IRT) infrastructure, as well as the replacement of municipal services. The latter included electrical, water, sewer and stormwater infrastructure.

A key element included the rehabilitation and construction of a 2 050 m two-lane single carriageway into a two-lane dual carriageway. These and other works were carried out by main contractor Martin & East, with all phases completed by July 2019.

“Project challenges included the relocation of unknown Eskom infrastructure from the proposed roadway into the roadside reserve, which was populated with existing services, as well as new approved services,” explains Naveed Sayed, Knight Piésold’s assistant resident engineer for the project. “A crucial aspect was the safety and accommodation of very dense pedestrian and vehicular movement, including heavy vehicles accessing a myriad of business properties,” he continues. In addition to industrial and business hubs, crowding occurs around key transportation nodes that include Stock Road Station and the Joe Gabi Long Distance Bus Facility.

Another challenge presented was the effective engagement and buy-in from local taxis during the early stages of the project. Their random stops and starts to collect and drop off passengers were causing major traffic congestion at the Rochester Road and Stock Road intersection. A solution was found after meeting taxi organisation officials via the project’s appointed community liaison. This led to the establishment of a temporary demarcated taxi parking area. Soon after implementation, there was a significant reduction in congestion. A similar strategy was used for the safe accommodation of informal traders, with demarcated areas provided during each construction phase.

Difficulties and complexities were also experienced when informal settlements began occupying the road reserve once the contractor started establishing on-site. An instruction was given to amend the kerb alignment and design of the proposed roadway timeously before any more informal structures were built. This meant the redesigning and relocating of newly proposed services.

“A further issue that needed to be addressed was the inability of heavy vehicles to access business properties along Stock Road, following the installation of the new median,” says Sayed. “After extensive discussions and meetings with the client, provision was made to allow these businesses temporary access until such time as the planned IRT system is implemented.”

There was also much uncertainty regarding the exact positions and depths of existing services. The lack of reliable, as-built details and the presence of unknown services required ongoing, unavoidable design changes.

The infestation of illegal electrical power connections along Stock Road proved to be a major obstruction to many construction activities due to their odd locations. However, preventative measures were taken to ensure that these connections were not tampered with to avoid unintentional provocation of the local community.

The presence of calcrete rock meant that rockbreaking using machines had to be carried out alongside the fragile existing asbestos cement water main. This water main is the only water

Construction of bitumen treated base at Sheffield Road intersection

Naveed Sayed, Knight Piésold

supply to the business hub and the informal settlement area of Stock Road. Failure of this line would have meant cutting off the water supply to this area for an extended period.

A further consequence of failure would have been the destruction of or damage to any existing electrical cables. This would have cut off power to local businesses and informal settlements.

A similar situation applied to all other services, such as sewer mains and stormwater systems. The loss of any of these would have had downstream consequences for residents and businesses along Stock Road.

For any community project to work, participation and buy-in are essential. For this project, David Leendertz Consulting was appointed as the community liaison. An open house before the tender stage ensured that all community as well as interested and affected party interests and inputs were allowed for in the design and contract stipulations, wherever possible. Community liaison meetings were held at the Philippi Community Hall every two months throughout the contract. At each meeting, the project team gave a presentation on the current status. All present were permitted to ask questions, as well as obtain replies to questions sent to David Leendertz Consulting prior to the meeting.

Due to the extensive nature of the project, there were many opportunities available for local labour as well as local enterprises. The contract participation goal targets for the contractor were 3% for targeted labour and 3.5% for targeted enterprises, which were well achieved.

Accredited training was provided to all local labour, as well as local subcontractors, in accordance with the Guidelines for the Implementation of Labour-Intensive Projects under the Expanded Public Works Programme.

Since its completion, the project has opened a new world of possibilities when it comes to mobility. Catering for the high volume of nonvehicular movement in the area, the NMT facility now allows for the safe transit of cyclists and pedestrians to key facilities such as the business hub, railway station, clinics and taxi ranks. The project’s IRT infrastructure links up with the future Lansdowne IRT corridor.

“By embracing the complexities, the professional team has executed a newly rehabilitated road, services and ancillary works that considerably improve socio-economic well-being within one of Cape Town’s fastestgrowing urban areas,” adds Sayed.

The role of the client, the City of Cape Town Roads and Stormwater Department, is particularly acknowledged for its vision, valued input and support.

An aerial view of Stock Road Bridge ABOVE LEFT Installation of additional steel pipe water main ABOVE Temporary access was provided for heavy vehicles to access commercial properties

Knight Piésold Consulting

GJA Consulting Engineers

Structural Solutions Contractor: Martin & East

David Leendertz Consultants

Safe Working Practice Environmental consultants: Ecosense Consulting Environmentalists