HANSLAB (PTY) Ltd

ENVIRONMENTAL AND GROUND

ENGINEERING SPECIALIST

2017
DRAFT BASIC ASSESSMENT
REPORT

PROJECT NAME: D2264 ROAD UPGRADE P.O. BOX 2135

AREA/MUNICIPALITY: OKHAHLAMBA LM Umhlanga Manors

CLIENT: KZN DOT- HEAD OFFICE 4021

Tel No: 031 563 1978

Fax No: 086 552 4224

BEE Status: Level One

sheldon@hanslab.co.za
D2264 ROAD UPGRADE 1
 SECTION A: ACTIVITY INFORMATION

PROJECT TITLE

Proposed upgrade of D2264 from a gravel road to a blacktop within the Okhahlamba
Local Municipality.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The KZN Department of Transport (Applicant) proposes to upgrade the existing D2264
gravel road to a blacktop category D. The road upgrade will start at P340 within the
Woodford area and connect to P341 at Bethany Area. The proposed road upgrade will be
approximately 4.5 km in length, with a proposed width of 7 m to accommodate two
lanes of 3.5m each, with a concrete v-drain and a pavement.

The road will be realigned in various sections to accommodate the access roads to the
schools and local community houses. The Department also proposes to construct pipe
crossings for driveways as there are various driveways along the road. The road
traverses several drainage lines that have existing pipe culverts. However, the
Department proposes to replace the pipe culverts as the structures have been damaged
and not functioning at an optimal efficiency.

The construction of the pipe culverts within the drainage lines and the realignment
of the road forms the focus of the basic assessment report, and triggers a listed
activity as outlined below.

D2264 ROAD UPGRADE 2

According to the EIA Regulations of 2014 (Listing Notice 1, GNR 983), the listed
activity below is triggered:

▪ Listing Notice 1, Listed Activity 19 (GNR 983)

The infilling or depositing of any material of more than 5 cubic metres into, or the
dredging, excavation, removal or moving of soil, sand, shells, shell grit, pebbles or rock of
more than 5 cubic metres from-

(i) a watercourse;

Description of activity (Drainage line):

The District Road D2264 traverses several drainage lines along the route, and the
Applicant proposes to replace the existing infrastructure within the drainage line with
new pipe culverts. More than 5 cubic metres of soil will be removed during the
construction of the proposed pipe culverts and the v-drains.

▪ Listing Notice 1, Listed Activity 24 in (GNR 983)

The development of –

(i) a road for which an environmental authorisation was obtained for the route
determination in terms of activity 5 in Government Notice 387 of 2006 or activity 18 in
Government Notice 545 of 2010; or

(ii) A road with a road reserve wider than 13.5 meters, or where no reserve exists
where the road is wider than 8 meters

Description of the activity (The road)

The proposed District Road D2264 was re-aligned to have a road reserve of 20metres,
which will accommodate a carriageway of 7metres in width, pavement, v-drains, kerb,
and channel. Therefore, Activity 24 described above is triggered. Refer to Figure 1 below
(Drawing C42977) which confirms the dimensions of the proposed road upgrade.

D2264 ROAD UPGRADE 3

 Figure 1: Showing the aerial view of the proposed route (Blue line)

D2264 ROAD UPGRADE 4

FEASIBLE AND REASONABLE ALTERNATIVES

▪ Site Alternative 1
The proposed route is along District Road 2264, within the Okhahlamba Local
Municipality. There are no site alternatives that have been investigated for the proposed
road upgrade, as this is an existing gravel road which presently services the community.

The road, pavement and pipe culvert designs have taken numerous engineering
methodologies into consideration which has a minimal impact on the environment, by
improving safety, drainage and reducing erosion along the route. Following the initial site
visit it was evident that there has been a significant amount of erosion surrounding the
proposed project area. This has led to the deepening of the drainage lines, flooding of the
road during rainfall seasons which in turn, will lead to further erosion in the long term if
surface runoff and drainage are not dealt with accordingly.

Table 1: Coordinates along the preferred route for the proposed project.

Lat. (DDMMSS) Long (DDMMSS)

Start Point 28°41´19.01˝S 29°17´56.34˝ E

Mid-Point 28°40´56.22˝S 29°19´45.69˝ E
End Point 28°40´33.67˝S 29°20´27.37˝ E

D2264 ROAD UPGRADE 5

Photograph 1&2: Showing the existing gravel road and houses adjacent to the proposed
route

D2264 ROAD UPGRADE 6

TECHNOLOGY / DESIGN ALTERNATIVE

The Department of Transport proposes to upgrade the existing gravel road to a blacktop
road. Following investigations, the best engineering principles were consulted for the
proposed road upgrade. A category D road which services rural communities, with an
ESO.3 pavement and v-drains. This was obtained using the technology recommendations
for Highway guidelines, (TRH17 for the road and TRH4 for the pavement). An upgrade to
blacktop would mean greater safety for all road users. The recommended width of the
new road is 7.00m (3.5m per lane).

▪ Road design methodology

A recent traffic count conducted by Mikros in June 2016 found that average daily traffic
of 300 cars per day was counted and the average daily traffic was 153 vehicles per lane
per day travelling towards P340 and 148 vehicles per lane per day travelling towards
P341. The investigation recommended a Category D road, as the road normally has traffic
only in the morning and afternoons, as it services schools and community members
commuting to work. This was based on the road design that adheres to the THR17
geometric design philosophy which categorizes the roads into 4 categories (A-D
respectively). For prediction purposes a value of 400 was used as an average traffic value
to accommodate possible businesses along the way.

According to standards of the road design classification, a speed of 60km/h would be

appropriate for the proposed road. However, due to restrictions on site, such as proximity
of fences, driveways, and community services, a design speed of 40km/h is
recommended. The traffic count that was recently completed suggests that the average
speed of vehicles is as low as 55km/h. It should therefore be an easy adjustment for
regular drivers on D2264 to lower their speed to 40km/h.

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Figure 2: Showing an example of blacktop road design.

▪ Pavement design methodology

It has been found that traffic along D2264, was mainly in the form of foot and taxis. The
community would greatly benefit from the increased traffic as there are also informal
businesses along the way. TRH 4 guidelines have been followed in producing the
following table, which indicates the pavement class of D2264. After all calculations were
concluded the ESO.3 pavement design was chosen as it corresponds to the Category D
road.

Road category D
Description Rural access roads
Service level Moderate to low level of service
Typical Pavement Characteristics
Risk High
Approximate Design Reliability (%) 50
Total Equivalent Traffic Loading
(E80/lane) 1 x 106
Daily Traffic (e.v.u.) 320

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 % of heavies 10
Growth rate 4%
Design period 10 years
Traffic growth factor 4557
150 x 0.10 x 1.2 x 4557
MESA 0.11x 106 E80
Pavement Class ES0.3

As the proposed pavement, will carry loads of traffic, the structure will be a combination
on layers, surfacing, base, subbase, selected subgrade and subgrade. Based on the traffic,
class and road category the following pavement layers were selected:

A- Asphalt surfacing
30mm A Base

100mm BC Subbase BC- Hot mix asphalt

C4- Cemented crushed stone

200mm C4 Subbase and gravel

G8- Gravel or soil

G8 Selected Subgrade

G10/G9 Subgrade
G10/G9- Gravel or soil

▪ Drainage design

When the road is surfaced by asphalt, there will be a large increase in surface runoff
because the once bare, semi permeable road, will be a hardened surface and completely
impermeable, this will increase surface run-off.

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This increase in surface runoff during the post developmental stage means that a greater
capacity for drainage must be provided for. This is to ensure the runoff does not damage
property and pose a threat to people or to the general environment. Pipe crossings will
be replaced, and v-drains have been recommended along the side of the road.

Photograph 2: Showing the construction method of the proposed V-drains.

▪ No-go alternative
No road or structures will be constructed or upgraded, therefore there will be no
negative impacts associated with construction activity. However, there will also be no
positive impacts associated with the road construction such as the improved
connectivity and access for residents. Residents that make use of the road will continue
to experience disruptions, as gravel along the road is absent, where gravel is present is
frequently loose, making access difficult at times of high rainfall. This makes it difficult
for community members to access transportation and services. The damage and lack of
drainage system along the route causes the road to be slippery and unsafe. Erosion along
the road is evident in areas as a direct result of poor drainage along the existing gravel
road. Open drains along the road are risky for children as headwalls on installed pipes
are broken.

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▪ Physical size of activity
• Indicate the physical size of the preferred activities/ technology as well as
alternative activities/ technologies (footprints):

Alternative: Size of the activity:

Alternative A1 (preferred activity alternative) m2
Alternative A2 (if any) m2
Alternative A3 (if any) N/A m2

Alternative: Length of the activity:

Alternative A1 (preferred activity alternative) Approximately 4494m

Alternative A2 (if any)
Alternative A3 (if any)

▪ Site access

• Does ready access to the site exist, or is access directly from Yes No
an existing road? X
• Describe the type of access road planned:
The proposed upgrade will be taking place on an existing gravel road, therefore,
there is no need for a new access road.

▪ Waste, effluent, emission and noise management

• Solid waste management

Will the activity produce solid construction waste during the

YES
NO
construction/initiation phase? X
If YES, what estimated quantity will be produced per month? Approx.4 m3

Page 4
 • How will the construction solid waste be disposed of?

All solid waste accumulated during construction will be kept in designated

areas/construction campsite and disposed by the constructor at the registered local
landfill site. The contractor must provide the competent authority with disposal
certificates from a registered landfill site.

• Where will the construction solid waste be disposed of?

The construction solid waste will be disposed of at the Cathkin Park waste treatment site
by the contractor. This will be addressed in the EMPr. The appointed ECO must confirm
such disposal during the auditing process.

• Will the activity produce solid waste during its operational NO

YES
phase? x
• If YES, what estimated quantity will be produced per month? N/A m3

▪ Liquid effluent

• Will the activity produce effluent, other than normal sewage, NO

YES
that will be disposed of in a municipal sewage system? X

• Will the activity produce effluent that will be treated and/or YES NO
X
disposed of at another facility?

Page 5
▪ Emissions into the atmosphere

• Will the activity release emissions into the atmosphere YES NO

other that exhaust emissions and dust associated with X
construction phase activities?
• If YES, is it controlled by any legislation of any sphere of YES NO
government? X

▪ Waste permit

• Will any aspect of the activity produce waste that will NO

YES
require a waste permit in terms of the NEM: WA? X

▪ Generation of noise

• Will the activity generate noise? YES NO

X
• If YES, is it controlled by any legislation of any sphere of YES NO
government? X

• Describe the noise in terms of type and level:

Noise will only be generated during the construction phase (from operating
machinery, generators etc.) The level of the noise generated will be low and below 70
decibels threshold limit. No noise will be generated during the operational phase;
therefore, the impact is temporary in nature and can be minimised with affective
monitoring by the ECO.

Page 6
 ▪ Water use

Other
Water will
River, The activity
be
Municipal Water board Groundwater stream, dam will not use
transported
or lake water
to site via
water tanks.
Water will be transported to the site via water trucks as to minimise strain
placed on the local municipal system, and no water will be abstracted from any
watercourse during the construction phase of the project.

APPLICABLE LEGISLATION, POLICIES AND/OR GUIDELINES

▪ NEMA and the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, 2014

The EIA Regulations 2014, promulgated under NEMA (1998), focus primarily on creating
a framework for co-operative environmental governance. NEMA provides for co-
operative environmental governance by establishing principles for decision-making on
matters affecting the environment, institutions that will promote co-operative
governance and procedures for co-ordinating environmental functions exercised by State
Departments and to provide for matters connected therewith.

In terms of the EIA Regulations of 2014 and activities listed in GN No. 983 and GN No. 985
(requiring a Basic Assessment (BA) process), there are listed activities that are triggered.
The listed activities are deemed to include activities that could potentially have an impact
on the social and biophysical state of an area and as such, the applicant is required to
obtain an Environmental Authorisation (EA) by way of a BA process.

▪ Constitution of Republic of South Africa (Act No 108 of 1996)

The project falls within the boundaries of South Africa. The Constitution of the Republic
of South Africa has major implications for environmental management. The main effects
are the protection of environmental and property rights, the change brought about by the

Page 7
sections dealing with administrative law, such as access to information, just
administrative action and broadening of the locus standing of litigants. These aspects
provide general and overarching support and are of major assistance in the effective
implementation of the environmental management principles and structures of the
NEMA. Section 24 in the Bill of Rights of the Constitution specifically states that:

Everyone has the right -

➢ To an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being; and

➢ To have the environment protected, for the benefit of present and future generations,
through reasonable legislative and other measures that -
➢ Prevent pollution and ecological degradation;
➢ Promote conservation; and
➢ Secure ecologically sustainable development and use of natural resources while
promoting justifiable economic and social development.

▪ National Heritage Resources Act, 1999 (Act No. 25 of 1999)

This Act legislates the necessity for cultural and heritage impact assessment in areas
earmarked for development, which exceed 0.5 hectares (ha) and where linear
developments (including roads) exceed 300 metres in length. The Act makes provision
for the potential destruction to existing sites, pending the archaeologist’s
recommendations through permitting procedures. Permits are administered by Amafa
KwaZulu-Natal, the Provincial Heritage Resources Authority.

▪ National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No. 10 of

2004)

The purpose of the Biodiversity Act is to provide for the management and conservation
of South Africa’s biodiversity within the framework of the NEMA and the protection of
species and ecosystems that warrant national protection. As part of its implementation
strategy, the National Spatial Biodiversity Assessment was developed. This Act is
applicable to this application for environmental authorisation as it requires the project
applicant to consider the protection and management of local biodiversity.

Page 8
 SECTION B: SITE/ AREA/ PROPERTY DESCRIPTION

▪ Property description/ physical address

Province KwaZulu-Natal
District Municipality UThukela Municipality
Local Municipality Okhahlamba Municipality
Ward Number(s) 11, 12
Farm name and number Sandspruit
Portion number 6, 13, 33, 34, 44 of 5026
5, 7, 13, 15 of 4976
1, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15 of 14123
18, 40, 48 of 4977
SG Code NOGT00220000502600006
NOGT00220000502600013
NOGT00220000502600033
NOGT00220000502600034
NOGT00220000502600044
NOGT00220000497600005
NOGT00220000497600007
NOGT00220000497600013
NOGT00220000497600015
NOGT00220001412300001
NOGT00220001412300007
NOGT00220001412300008
NOGT00220001412300009
NOGT00220001412300010
NOGT00220001412300011
NOGT00220001412300015
NOGT00220000497700018
NOGT00220000497700040
NOGT00220000497700048

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