The 8km addition of the existing freeway was designed for phased implementation. “It could initially be built as a single carriageway road and as years go by it could then progress to a dual carriageway and eventually a freeway,” explains Philip.

The main challenge in the design was to minimise the impact of the freeway through the Grassy Park and Philippi Horticultural Areas. The design was done with the use of Civil Designer software and encompassed the crossing of two canals, three interchanges, six overpasses, an agricultural underpass and a pedestrian bridge.

During the past few months, Philip has been hard at work fine-tuning the design to satisfy the requirements of the Penway Consortium. “The route through the horticultural area is not the shortest route, but it is one that all parties, particularly the farmers association, have accepted as the preferred route through the area”.

This short section of road is expected to cost in the region of R60m for a single carriageway arterial and approximately R150m if the freeway is built from the start. This high cost may largely be attributed to the nine bridges along the route.

Philip points out that he is able to view the entire working platform using the design software. “Everything is integrated and with the aerial view you are able to see the bigger picture,” he says.

Current Jeffares & Green activities in rural areas include the upgrade of a number of gravel roads to black top roads, while township developments consist of the completion of phase three of the bulk road design that provides access into the informal housing settlement, Wallacedene.

Other work for the Provincial Administration that was recently undertaken includes the conceptual and partial preliminary design of the Potsdam Interchange on the N7, as well as a stretch of road between Elands Bay and Lamberts Bay. The road is being designed as a class 3 rural road on the current alignment of the existing gravel road.

Philip is one of the Civil Designer enthusiasts who function as Beta testers for Cape Town software house Knowledge Base, and says that he finds it beneficial to see the package before it is released. “The benefit of being a Beta tester is that you get to know the program before it is issued and can provide input on facilities or functions within the new software”.

Engineering News / IMESA
July 2004