Project management of the design and build of Buhimba-Nalweyo-Bulamagi-Igayaza-Kakumiro roads upgrading project (93km)

Abstract

The report herein describes the Design, Design Check, and Construction Supervision of the Design and Build of Buhimba-Nalweyo-Bulamagi and Bulamagi-Igayaza-Kakumiro Roads Upgrading Project (93 KM), to Bituminous Standard, with a focus on my levels of involvement in the Project Management Aspects of the Project. The scope of works consisted of upgrading the existing gravel road to bituminous standard between the towns of Buhimba-Nalweyo-Bulamagi-Kakumiro. The completed road was designed to have an overall carriageway width of 7.0m, shoulder width of 2.0m in the rural section and carriageway width of 7.0m, parking lane width of 3.0m in town sections. The carriageway and shoulders were sealed with Asphalt Concrete Wearing Course. A walkway of width 2.5m in town sections was provided on top of a covered drain. Being a Design and Build Project, the mandate for Design was for the Contractor. The Design Stage involved pavement investigations, surveys, collection of samples of the existing pavement / sub-grade materials and Dynamic Cone Penetration tests. Traffic counts were conducted to estimate the traffic traversing the road. The obtained traffic data was used for the determination of the traffic loading for the Design period. Dynamic Cone Penetration (DCP) tests showed a relatively stiff subgrade material on the majority of the corridor. Different scenarios with respect to the pavement structure that can withstand the cumulative axle load during the design life of the pavement were analyzed. Structural and Geometric Designs were henceforth produced. Hydrological and Hydraulic Designs for the Drainage System were also performed. During the Design Checks (in which I was the Team Leader); the Geometric, Structural, Drainage, Financial, and Overall compliance of the submitted Designs was checked in relation to the requirements of the Contract. All aspects found to satisfy the requirements of the Specifications and Manuals were approved. Where non-compliance was observed, the Contractor was requested to revise and resubmit. During Construction Supervision (in which I was also the Team Leader), I was mandated with monitoring and ensuring compliance to various Project Management Aspects, e.g.: Scope, Time, Cost, Quality, Resources, Communications, Risk Assessment, as well as Stakeholder Management. I also ensured adherence to Environmental, Social, and Safety Aspects of the Project, as well as overall Contract Administration and Management.