Roads and Stormwater

Manager: Mr. Phillip Dietzsch
Tel: 044 501 3266
Fax: 086 528 6193
Email:  dietzsch@plett.gov.za

Roads Paved (Bitumen, concrete, paving)

The implementation of a Pavement Management System (PMS), using a visual assessment forms the basis of evaluating of the condition of the road network and the need for specific actions.  The collected information is processed to provide the output for top management for strategic planning and budgeting purposes as well as for maintenance engineers for tactical planning and execution purposes.

This report presents a network level proposal for maintaining the roads in the area through an assessment of the network based on methodical visual ratings of each pavement section.

Different road sections require different types of maintenance varying from routine and normal to heavy rehabilitation. Possible project types range from routine maintenance (e.g. patching), to normal maintenance (resurfacing) through to heavy rehabilitation (e.g. thick overlays and reconstruction). With the limited funds available it is important that these funds be spent at the right place at the right time to ensure optimum use of funds. The use of PMS is generally accepted as essential for determining the maintenance and upgrading needs/programs for pavements in a network of roads.

These programs provide a good assessment of the total funds required to meet the maintenance needs of the network and, in most cases, of the type of maintenance required. The needs of individual projects should, however, be verified by further investigation to allow for additional unrecorded factors.

The total length of the paved network is 147.3km (135.4km tar, 11.3km block paving and 0.6km concrete pavements) with an estimated replacement value of R383.5 million. The average condition of the network can be rated as fair to poor, with 5% of the surfacing and 12% of the structure in the poor to very poor category.

Construction and rehabilitation of streets are being implemented according to the Integrated Development Plan (IDP).

Roads Unpaved (Gravel, dirt)

The implementation of a Gravel Road Management System (GRMS) system it can be divided into a network and project level. It must be emphasised that the GRMS implemented, is essentially a network level tool similar to the Pavement Management System (PMS) for paved roads. Visual assessments form the basis of the evaluation of the condition of the road network and the need for specific actions. The collected information is processed to provide the output for top management for strategic planning and budgeting purposes as well as for maintenance engineers for tactical planning and execution purposes.

Different road sections may require different types of maintenance varying from normal and special, to scheduled maintenance. Possible project types can include one or more of the following - blading, reshaping, reworking, re-graveling or even upgrading of the road to a higher standard. With the limited funds available it is important that these funds be spent at the right place at the right time to ensure optimum use of funds. The use of a Management System (GRMS) is generally accepted as essential for determining the maintenance and upgrading needs/programmes for roads in a network.

These programs provide a good assessment of the total funds required to meet the maintenance needs of the network and, in most cases, of the type of maintenance required. The needs of individual projects should, however, be verified by further investigation to allow for additional unrecorded factors.

The total unpaved network is 19.6km of which 17.7km are gravel roads and the rest can be defined as dirt roads.  The average condition of the unpaved network can be rated as good to fair with only 16% of the roads in the poor to very poor category.

Storm water

The Storm water division is primarily responsible for the maintenance and construction of storm water infrastructure within the Bitou Municipal jurisdiction.

The division is in a process of developing a Storm water Master Plan which will assist the Municipality to properly plan for any disasters such as flooding, property damages and loss of life due to uncontrolled run-off. As well as to design and construct suitable infrastructure that will be efficient, effective and that is economical.

Currently the division is making use of EPWP as a mechanism of maintaining the infrastructure, making sure that properties and roads in particular are not damaged due to un-drained run-off causing traffic delays and inconveniences, and minimizing danger to vehicles and people.

Much of the work carried out by the departmental relates to the following activities:

• Unblocking of storm water drainage system
• Replacement of missing manhole covers
• Maintaining the entire infrastructure (storm water)
• Cleaning and rehabilitation of the storm water system and culverts
• Replacing broken pipes and catch pit inlets and manhole slabs and covers.
• Installing new storm water systems, construction of open channels and sub-soil drains etc.

• the need to protect the health, welfare and safety of the public, and to protect property from flood hazards by safely routing and discharging storm water from developments
• the quest to improve the quality of life of affected communities
• the opportunity to conserve water and make it available to the public for beneficial uses
• the responsibility to preserve the natural environment

The main challenges that this division is faced with:

• Illegal dumping of refuse in storm water outlets/inlets, open channels and manholes
• Damages to infrastructure e.g. broken manhole lids, kerb inlets damaged by vehicles etc.
• Ill-informed community on the importance of storm water infrastructure

Bitou is made up of ± 79 km of buried storm water infrastructure and a number of open channels. The storm water catchment areas that include Keurbooms River, Piesang River and Roodefontein Dam are of great importance to life as they serve as a source of water for the area.