Assessment of the application of sustainability principles on bridge construction projects in Uganda: A case study of Nyawa Bridge

Abstract

ABSTRACT This report provides an assessment of the construction of Nyawa Bridge project, in terms of its sustainability performance. It presents the principles of sustainability, the general construction and implementation of Nyawa Bridge and project management practices that the author participated in as the Contractor’s Assistant project manager (Project Site Manager) during the construction of Nyawa Bridge. Also it presents a subjective assessment of the application of sustainability principles on Nyawa Bridge Project phases. Chapter one presents the background to the project, the project site location, the problem statement, study justification, study objectives, the scope of assessment and the author’s involvement. Chapter two reviews literature on current existing sustainability principles and practices on sustainable construction in general and on sustainable bridge construction in particular. Chapter three presents project implementation and construction methodologies, activities and contract administration procedures under taken at various phases of the project life cycle. It also presents the different project management practices employed to solve project challenges of scope, cost, quality, time and procurement. Chapter four presents a subjective assessment of the application of sustainability principles at the different phases of the project life cycle. Chapter five presents the report summary, conclusion and recommendations. The study established that bridge projects in Uganda are initiated with sustainability intentions in mind, and they are implemented through the initial phases of the project life cycle through to design phase. The study though identifies a non-transferability of these sustainability requirements into the construction process and with little strategies to attain a more sustainable bridge construction process in the short term. The study therefore identifies the challenges and recommends strategies towards improved performance on sustainable bridge construction.