INNOVATIVE INITIATIVES IN ROAD DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE IN THE PROVINCE OF KWAZULU-NATA, SOUTH AFRICA

In the Province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, 70% of the road network is gravel. Budgets for maintenance were declining while maintenance costs were rising because of the intensive efforts required to maintain gravel roads. This paper presents various innovations which can provide very cost effective water proof gravel roads. The techniques presented in this paper involve using available insitu materials, combinations of conventional and new stabilising agents, compaction aids and conventional and new surfacing techniques. These innovative applications have provided remote and rural communities with more reliable road networks.