PROPOSED UPGRADING OF NATIONAL ROUTE R335 ......2. SITE LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION The southern limit...

PROPOSED UPGRADING OF NATIONAL ROUTE R335 BETWEEN MOTHERWELL (KM 5.600) AND ADDO (KM 37.600), WITHIN THE NELSON MANDELA BAY

MUNICIPALITY AND SUNDAYS RIVER VALLEY LOCAL MUNICIPALITY, EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE

BACKGROUND INFORMATION DOCUMENT

SEPTEMBER 2018

BASIC ASSESSMENT PROCESS

Prepared by: Prepared for:

Terratest (Pty) Ltd GIBB (Pty) Ltd (on behalf of SANRAL) PO Box 27308 PO Box 19844

Greenacres Tecoma Port Elizabeth East London

6057 5214

Tel: 041 390 8730 Tel: 043 706 3600 Fax: 041 363 1922 Fax: 043 721 0141

Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Contact Person: Contact Person: Ms Cherize Coetzee Mr Steve Schroeder

mailto:[email protected]


GIBB (Pty) Ltd Terratest (Pty) Ltd

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P:\01 TERRATEST\41643 - Motherwell Addo Road Upgrade\07 REPORTS\Public Participation\BID\2018

1. INTRODUCTION

The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has appointed GIBB (Pty)

Ltd as consulting engineers for the ‘Improvement of National Route R335 between Motherwell

(km 5.600) and Addo (km 37.600)’ within the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) and

Sundays River Valley Local Municipality (SRVLM). The improvement works will include road

drainage upgrades, widening and/or replacement of bridges and culverts and all associated road

furniture.

The poor condition of the existing road can be ascribed to the use of poor quality materials when

the road was constructed some 50 years ago. The R335 between Motherwell and Addo is a

major link in the road network of the Coega hinterland. It serves as a major link for traffic to the

industrial production areas (manufacture of cement and clay bricks), agricultural areas (citrus

farm areas) around Addo and Kirkwood, as well as to tourism areas such as the Addo Elephant

National Park.

Terratest (Pty) Ltd has been appointed on behalf of SANRAL to undertake the application

process for an Environmental Authorisation in terms of the National Environmental Management

Act, 1998 (Act No. 107 of 1998) (NEMA) for the proposed upgrading works along the R335.

Table 1: The role players in the project are as follows.

APPLICANT SANRAL

PROJECT MANAGERS GIBB (Pty) Ltd

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

PRACTITIONER Terratest (Pty) Ltd

COMPETENT AUTHORITY National Department of Environmental

Affairs (DEA)

2. SITE LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION

The southern limit of the proposed upgrading is at km 5.60, which is approximately 170 m north of

WM Maku Street in the heart of Motherwell, within the NMBM. The road then continues north of the

R334 intersection, which represents the current boundary of Motherwell. The route crosses into the

Coega River Valley to cross the river at km 12.0. The route then climbs away from the valley and at

km 17.0 the topography flattens out forming a large plateau from km 17.0 to km 22.8. The watershed

between the Coega and Sundays River catchment is reached at km 22.8. These two rivers dominate

the drainage patterns over the entire length of the project. At km 22.8 the route crosses into the

Sundays River catchment area. From km 24.5 to km 30.3 the topography is steeply undulating. From

km 30.3, across the Sundays River Bridge at km 34.8, to the northern limit at km 37.60 the

topography is extremely flat, ending at the southern boundary of the town of Addo within the SRVLM.

Co-ordinates of the position of the route along the R335 route proposed for upgrade are

presented in the table below.

Table 2: Co-ordinates of the extent of the road proposed for upgrade.

POSITION LATITUDE LONGITUDE

START 33° 47’ 45.05’’ S 25° 36’ 31.91’’ E

END 33° 33’ 14.49’’ S 25° 41’ 20.57’’ E


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Figures 1 and 2 overleaf indicate the position of the R335 route proposed for upgrade.

3. PROPOSED ACTIVITY

The total length of the road to be upgraded will be 32 km and crosses the Coega River and Sundays

River.

An offset alignment of 7 m will be used for the horizontal alignment from the intersection with the

R334 (km 9.580) up to the Sunday’s river bridge (km 34.700). Thereafter the alignment returns to

the existing centreline and the road is widened centrally in order to avoid affecting trees within the

citrus farms up to km 37.600 just before entering the town of Addo.

Batter slopes shall be constructed to a constant slope of 1 vertical and 1.5 Horizontal for all cut and

fill conditions.

Guardrails combined with a concrete kerb and channel will generally be provided at all fills higher

than 3,0 m and at retaining structures. The road profile width will remain at 13.4 m where guardrails

are provided.

The vertical alignment of the existing road is generally of a low standard and therefore the vertical

alignment of the proposed road deviates substantially from that of the existing. As a result,

substantial mass earthworks (cut and fill) on the existing road are envisaged.

The work to be executed will comprise the following:

(i) Road Drainage

Drainage on the road will be achieved by a combination of the longitudinal grade and the cross

fall of the road. The cross fall of the road will be increased to 2.5 % where the longitudinal grade

falls below 1% and increased to 3% where the longitudinal grade falls below 0.5%. The

stormwater will be collected in side drains, kerb and channel, concrete v drains or it will be

allowed to run down embankments in the areas of low fill.

Drainage away from the road prism will include the construction of cut-off drains at the tops of

high cuts in order to avoid water spilling down the embankment. Subsoil drains will be installed

to deal with groundwater in order to protect the lower road layers.

Across the road, drainage will be achieved by introducing minor and major culverts or bridges in

order to contain a storm with 1:50 year return period.


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Figure 1 (left): Aerial photo indicating the section of route R335 proposed for upgrading.

Figure 2 (right): Topographic map indicating the location of the section of route R335 proposed for upgrading.


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(ii) Bridges and Structures

1. The following hydraulic structures will be affected by the upgrade:

a) Coega River Bridge: The Coega River Bridge will be demolished and reconstructed

on a new horizontal and vertical alignment close to the existing bridge. The new

bridge will have a road width of 13.4m. F-shaped concrete parapets will be placed

along the outer edges of the bridge deck. The resulting bridge width will be 14.35m

and the length of the bridge will be 25m, measured between the centroids of the

abutments. It will have a simply supported deck with 2No 12.5m spans, crossing the

river at right angles. The bridge surface area is therefore equal to some 335m2.

Guardrails will be placed on the approach embankments. The upstream and

downstream sides of the approach embankments will be protected by gabion

mattresses and boxes.

b) Sundays River Bridge: The reconstruction and widening of the existing bridge on

the Sundays River at km 34.80. The existing bridge is a three-span, reinforced

concrete fixed arch structure with spandrel walls. The spans are each 31.39m in

length and the total bridge length is 118.6m. The substructure is of reinforced

concrete construction and is based on spread footings. The bridge does not have a

structural deck slab as the roadway has been constructed on fill contained between

the spandrel walls and surfaced with asphalt. The existing balustrades and sidewalks

are constructed on the fill and spandrel walls. As it will be necessary to widen the

deck the existing balustrades and sidewalks shall be demolished, and a duplicate

bridge will be constructed alongside the existing structure in order to accommodate

the wider road profile. The new deck will accommodate a road width of 13.4 m. The

new surface area of the Sundays River Bridge will be 13.4m x 118.6m = 1 589.24 m2.

c) The construction of in situ box culverts complete with inlet and outlet structures of

which 2 major culverts are located on intersecting roads a short distance from the

R335:

(i) Box Culvert A crosses DR01958 at km 0.120. DR01958 intersects R335 at

km 26.815. The proposed configuration is 2-cell x 2400mm width x 2400mm

height.

(ii) Box Culvert B crosses R335at km 27.120. The proposed configuration is 3

cell x 3400mm width x 3200mm height.

(iii) Box Culvert C crosses R335 at km 28.825. The proposed configuration is 3


(iv) Box Culvert D crosses R335 at km 29.305. The proposed configuration is 3


(v) Box Culvert E crosses R335 at km 30.770. The proposed configuration is 3


(vi) Box Culvert F crosses R335 at km 32.327. The proposed configuration is 3


(vii) Box Culvert G crosses MN50267 at km 0.080. MN50267 intersects R355 at

km 30.730. The proposed configuration is a 2-cell x 2000mm width x

1800mm height.


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d) The construction of minor precast box culverts, complete with inlet and outlet

structures.

2. The construction of retaining structures (concrete and/or Reinforced Earth).

3. The construction of two precast culverts which will serve as underpasses to facilitate the

safe movement of wildlife to either side of the road:

➢ Underpass #01 crosses the R335 at km 33.220. Configuration is 1-cell x

2400mm width x 2400mm height.

➢ Underpass #02 crosses the R335 at km 33.320. Configuration is 1-cell x

2400mm width x 2400mm height.

(iii) Roadworks

a) Clearing and grubbing;

b) Removal of topsoil for widening of the road.

c) Roadbed preparation for widening of the road.

d) Bulk Earthworks (Cut to fill or spoil).

e) Removal of existing road layer works to stockpile.

f) The construction of in-situ and imported layers;

g) The construction of a C3 stabilised sub-base layer;

h) The construction of a crushed stone base bitumen stabilised and unstabilised; and,

i) Surfacing the road with a Cape Seal.

(iv) Ancillary Roadworks

a) Construction of bus/taxi stops with shelters;

b) Fencing of the road reserve;

c) The provision of road markings;

d) The installation of road studs;

e) The installation of new road signs;

f) The erection of guardrails;

g) Topsoiling and grassing of cut and fill slopes; and

h) Finishing off the road reserve, spoil areas and borrow pits.

4. GENERAL SITE DESCRIPTION

4.1 Biodiversity

Three vegetation types, predicted by Mucina and Rutherford (2006), are intersected by the road

route proposed for upgrade (see Figure 3):

a) Sundays Thicket;

b) Coega Bontveld; and,

c) Albany Alluvial Vegetation

In terms of the conservation status of these types of vegetation, Albany Alluvial Vegetation has been

identified as an Endangered Ecosystem in terms of the ‘National List of Ecosystems that are

Threatened and in Need of Protection’ (published in GN 1002 of 9 December 2011), as promulgated

under Section 52 of the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No. 10 of

2004) (NEMBA). Additional and more detailed information on indigenous and protected vegetation

species will be provided in the Basic Assessment Report after a Vegetation Assessment has been

undertaken on the development site by a specialist.


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The Nelson Mandela Bay Bioregional Plan identifies Critical Biodiversity Areas (CBA), Ecological

Support Areas (ESA1) and Protected Areas (PA1) occurring in proximity to the road (see Figure 4).

These areas are deemed to be the minimum areas required to meet conservation targets set both

within the municipality and at a national scale. Additional details on these areas will be provided later

on in the process.

A section of the development has been identified as falling in close proximity to the Baviaans-Addo

Protected Area Expansion Focus Area (Figure 5), as identified in terms of the National Protected

Areas Expansion Strategy (NPAES) for South Africa 2008.

In terms of the National Environmental Management: Protected Areas Act (Act 57 of 2003), the

proposed site falls within 5 km from the Zwartkops Valley Nature Reserve and the Kaapse Grysbok

Private Nature Reserve, and within 10 km from the Addo Elephant National Park (see Figure 6).

4.2 Hydrology

Two rivers occur in the study area and are crossed by the section of R335 to be upgraded (Figure

1):

(i) Coega River – crossing point: 33° 44’ 43.70’’ S; 25° 35’ 37.72’’ E

(ii) Sundays River – crossing point: 33° 34’ 53.42’’ S; 25° 40’ 26.41’’ E.

The National Freshwater Ecosystem Priority Assessment (NFEPA) for the study site indicates that

there are a few wetlands located along the side of the road (see Figure 7). A Wetland Assessment

will be undertaken to identify and model wetlands on and in the vicinity of the site as well as assess

impacts and propose mitigation measures of the wetlands.


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Figure 3 (left): Map indicating the vegetation predicted to occur on the proposed development site and in the surrounding areas. Figure 4 (right): Map indicating Critical Biodiversity Areas (CBAs) occurring within the proposed development site and in the areas surrounding.


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Figure 5 (left): Map showing the NPAES areas in proximity to the location of the section of route R335 proposed for upgrading. Figure 6 (right): Map showing the NEMPAA (2003) protected areas in proximity to the location of the section of route R335 proposed for upgrading.


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Figure 7 (left): Map indicating the wetlands located in proximity to the project locality in terms of the NFEPA Database (2011). Figure 8 (right): Map indicating the urban edge (in red) in relation to the section of route R335 proposed for upgrading. The section of the route located

south of the urban edge is included within the urban area; the section north of it, is excluded from the urban area.


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4.3 Archaeology and Palaeontology

Due to the sensitivity of the project site with reference to the colonial period bridges (Coega River

and Sundays River), farmsteads, homesteads, outbuildings, silo and cemetery found along the

proposed route, a Phase 1 Archaeological & Cultural Heritage Impact Assessment (AIA) will be

undertaken to determine the impacts on these resources and landscapes by the proposed

development. Furthermore, the development area is completely underlain by sediments of the

Sundays River and Kirkwood Formation of the Uitenhage and Algoa Groups. A Phase 1

Palaeontological Impact Assessment (PIA) is required to detect the presence of fossil material within

the proposed development footprint and to assess the impact of the upgrading of the R335 on the

palaeontological resources. Findings of both these studies will be discussed in the Basic Assessment

Report.

5. AUTHORISATION REQUIREMENTS

5.1 National Environmental Management Act, 1998

The proposed development triggers activities listed in the Environmental Impact Assessment

(EIA) Regulations (2014) (as amended), published in terms of the NEMA. A summary of the

activities triggered is contained in Table 3.

Table 3: Summary of Listed Activities triggered by the proposed development.

The number of the

relevant notice:

Activity No:

Description of the Listed Activity:

Comment:

GN. R

983 (327)

(Listing

Notice 1)

19

The infilling or depositing of any

material of more than 10 cubic

meters into, or the dredging,

excavation, removal or moving of

soil, sand, shells, shell grit, pebbles

or rock of more than 10 cubic meters

from –

(a) A watercourse;

Reconstruction activities for the

Coega River Bridge will require

the excavation and removal of

material from the Coega River.

As the volume of material to be

excavated will likely exceed 5 m3,

this Listed Activity is triggered.

GN. R

985 (324)

(Listing

Notice 3)

14

The development of –

(ii) infrastructure or structures

with a physical footprint of 10 square

metres or more;

where such development occurs –

(a) within a watercourse;

(c) …within 32 meters of a

watercourse, measured from

the edge of the watercourse;

excluding the development of

infrastructure or structures within

existing ports or harbours that will not

The footprint of the Coega River

Bridge, proposed to be

demolished and reconstructed,

will exceed the 100m2 footprint.

The development will occur in the

Coega River.

The development site does not fall

within an existing port or harbour,

so the exclusion provided for does

not apply.


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The number of the

relevant notice:

Activity No:


Comment:

increase the development footprint of

the port or harbour.

(a) In Eastern Cape:

(ii) Outside urban areas, in:

(aa) A protected area

identified in terms of

NEMPAA, excluding

conservancies;

(bb) National

Protected Area

Expansion Strategy

Focus Area;

(hh) Areas within 10

kilometres from

national parks or

world heritage sites or

5 kilometres from any

other protected area


NEMPAA…

This development will occur

outside the urban area (see Figure

8 showing the Urban Edge). A

section of the development will fall

within the Baviaans-Addo focus

area which has been recognised

as a National Protected Area

Expansion Strategy Focus Area

by the National Protected Areas

Expansion Strategy for South

Africa (2008) – see Figure 5.

Furthermore, the proposed site

falls within the Zwartkops Valley

Nature Reserve, within 5 km from

the Kaapse Grysbok Private

Nature Reserve, and within 10 km

from the Addo Elephant National

Park.

This Listed Activity is therefore

triggered.

GN. R

985 (324)

(Listing

Notice 3)

18

The widening of a road by

more than 4 metres, or the

lengthening of a road by more

than 1 kilometre.


(i) Outside urban areas:



NEMPAA, excluding

conservancies;

(bb) National

Protected Area

Expansion Strategy

Focus Area;

(gg) Areas within 10

kilometres from

national parks or




The width of the proposed road

will be increased by more than 4m.

The proposed upgrading of the

R335 will involve the widening of

the road by more than 4m.

The proposed site falls outside the

urban area. As mentioned above,

a section of the development will

fall within the Baviaans-Addo

focus area which has been

recognised as a National

Protected Area Expansion

Strategy Focus Area by the

National Protected Areas


Africa (2008). Furthermore, the

proposed site falls within the

Zwartkops Valley Nature Reserve,

within 5 km from the Kaapse


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The number of the

relevant notice:

Activity No:


Comment:


NEMPAA…

Grysbok Private Nature Reserve,

and within 10 km from the Addo

Elephant National Park.


triggered.

GN. R

985 (324)

(Listing

Notice 3)

23

The expansion of –

(ii) infrastructure or structures

where the physical footprint is

expanded by 10 square metres or

more ;

where such expansion occurs –

(a) within a watercourse;

(c) …within 32 meters of a

watercourse, measured

from the edge of the

watercourse;

excluding the expansion of

infrastructure or structures within

existing ports or harbours that will not

increase the development footprint of

the port or harbour.


(i) Outside urban areas:



NEMPAA, excluding

conservancies;

(bb) National

Protected Area

Expansion Strategy

Focus Area;

(gg) Areas within 10

kilometres from

national parks or




The bridge crossing the Sundays

River will be expanded by more

than 10m2.

The development will occur in the

Sundays River.

The development site does not fall

within an existing port or harbour,

so the exclusion provided for does

not apply.

The development will occur

outside the urban area. A section

of the development will fall within

the Baviaans-Addo focus area

which has been recognised as a

National Protected Area

Expansion Strategy Focus Area

by the National Protected Areas


Africa (2008). Furthermore, the

proposed site falls within the

Zwartkops Valley Nature Reserve,

within 5 km from the Kaapse

Grysbok Private Nature Reserve,

and within 10 km from the Addo

Elephant National Park.


triggered.


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The number of the

relevant notice:

Activity No:


Comment:


NEMPAA…

As the activities triggered are listed in Listing Notices 1 and 3, the proposed development

requires Environmental Authorisation subject to a Basic Assessment process.

5.2 National Water Act, 1998

Section 21 of the National Water Act, 1998 (Act No. 36 of 1998) lists activities which are defined as

Water Uses. The Act specifies that if certain thresholds are exceeded when undertaking these Water

Uses, an application for General Authorisation or a Water Use Licence from the Department of Water

and Sanitation (DWS) is required. The following water uses are relevant to the proposed

development, rendering an authorisation necessary:

• Impeding or diverting the flow of water in a watercourse (Section 21 (c)) and altering the bed,

banks course or characteristics of a watercourse (Section 21 (i)) water uses) for the Coega

River Bridge;


banks course or characteristics of a watercourse (Section 21 (i)) water uses) for the Sundays

River Bridge; and,


banks course or characteristics of a watercourse (Section 21 (i)) water uses) for the

upgrading of culverts along the route.

As such, a Risk Assessment, as provided in Appendix A of GN 509 of 26 August 2016, will be

undertaken by a specialist to confirm the type of authorisation required: General Authorisation or a

Water Use Licence. If the results of the assessment indicate low risk, the development can be

generally authorised. If, however, the assessment indicates medium or high risks, then a licence will

need to be applied for.

If the need occurs to source water from the Sundays or Coega Rivers for construction activities, it is

likely that this may require engaging in an additional Water Use Application.

5.3 Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act, 2002

The proposed upgrade of the road will require the sourcing of material. Authorisation of these

material sources will be undertaken through a separate application, submitted to the Department of

Mineral Resources (DMR).

6. Environmental Scope of Work

The required Basic Assessment process will be undertaken in accordance with the requirements

of NEMA and the EIA Regulations (2014) (as amended). The Environmental Assessment

Practitioner (EAP) is required to conduct the environmental application process and manage the

public participation process, which is currently underway. As part of this process, Terratest (Pty)

Ltd will perform the following:


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1. Identify and notify key stakeholders, authorities and municipalities, environmental groups and

interested or affected parties, hereafter referred to as Interested & Affected Parties (IAPs);

2. Compile a detailed Background Information Document (BID) for the proposed development

(this document), providing details to IAPs of:

a. The listed activities that trigger the Environmental Authorisation process;

b. The scope of work;

c. The locality and current land use at the site;

d. A detailed site description;

e. The Basic Assessment process to be followed; and

f. The opportunity for IAPs to comment on the project.

3. Advertise the environmental application in a newspaper applicable to the region;

4. Place a notification poster/posters on and surrounding the site;

5. Obtain consent from the landowner to undertake the application process (if necessary);

6. Attend Public Liaison Committee (PLC) meetings and workshops, where necessary;

7. Host a Public meeting, if necessary, providing details of issues identified by the EAP,

stakeholders and IAPs;

8. Record all comments of IAPs and present such comments, as well as responses provided

by Terratest (Pty) Ltd, in a full Comments and Responses Report, for inclusion into the Basic

Assessment Report which will be submitted to DEA for decision-making; and

9. Circulate all IAP comments to the project team.

The Basic Assessment Report will be made available to all relevant stakeholders and registered

IAPs for comment, before being submitted to the DEA.

7. HOW DO I PARTICIPATE?

Every proposed development has the potential to significantly affect the natural, social and economic

environments, both at, as well as surrounding the proposed site. For this reason it is imperative that

you as a stakeholder or an IAP comment on the proposed project and highlight any issues or

concerns that you feel need to be considered during the proposed planning and implementation

process.

Should you wish to register as an IAP or should you have any comments regarding the proposed

development, please state your interest in the proposed development along with any comments

or queries you may, on the form provided.

Please return these comments, via email, fax or post to details provided. Alternatively, the EAP listed

below can be contacted directly.

Registered IAPs will be included in our database which will ensure that you are directly informed of

any important dates, availability of documents, etc.

Please do extend this invitation to comment to others whom you believe may also be affected by, or

would be interested in this project.


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PROPOSED UPGRADING OF NATIONAL ROUTE R335 FROM MOTHERWELL TO ADDO WITHIN THE NELSON MANDELA BAY MUNICIPALITY AND SUNDAYS RIVER VALLEY LOCAL

MUNICIPALITY

REGISTRATION FORM

Name:

Surname

Postal Address:

Postal Code:

Tel No:

Fax No:

Cell No:

E-mail:

Please state your interest in the proposed project:

Comments: (add extra pages should you need)

Do you require any additional information?

Other parties which you think should be included in the process:

Your comments are highly appreciated, and will be included in the final report to be submitted to

the decision-making authorities.

PLEASE RETURN TO:

Cherize Coetzee

c/o TERRATEST (PTY) LTD

PO Box 27308

Greenacres

Port Elizabeth

6057

Tel: 041 390 8730 Fax: 041 363 1922 email: [email protected]

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PROPOSED UPGRADING OF NATIONAL ROUTE R335 ......2. SITE LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION The southern limit...

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