Portfolio Category: Roads & Bridges

Project preparatory technical assistance (PPTA) comprising of (i) an infrastructure investment component which will finance upgrading/rehabilitation of approximately 300 km of the Strategic Road Network (SRN); and (ii) institutional development and capacity development component aimed at increasing the sustainability of the investment and enhancing on-going sector initiatives. The cost estimates of road and bridge upgrading/rehabilitation works was about US$ 62 million.

The consulting services were to carry out relevant studies, field investigations, preliminary designs, cost estimates, feasibility studies, safeguard analyses, and development of implementation arrangements required in support of the ADB project loan preparation.  The principal activities include:

1. Road Prioritization Study to select 300 km of road for inclusion in RCP from a long list of approximately 600 km of candidate roads.
2. Feasibility Study for upgrading of 285 km roads comprising 8 roads (Ramapur-Lumbini-Kakarhawa, 34 km; Manthali-Ramechhap, 14 km;  Halesi-Diktel, 38 km; Leguwaghat-Bhojpur, 65 km; Leguwaghat-Tumlingtar 25 km; EWH-Koshi Bridge (Chatara)-EWH, 71 km, Ghinaghat-Biratchowk, 22 km; and Mechipul-Chandragadhi-Birtamod, 16 km)
3. Engineering Study including field surveys, identification and assessment of improvement options, engineering design, drawings, cost estimates and contract packaging.
4. Engineering survey, site investigation, design, drawings and cost estimate and contract packaging of 28 motorable bridges (length of individual bridge 12 to 325 m, RCC T beam, Prestressed and steel plate girder). The bridges were Sukhajor Khola (62 m) on Manthali-Ramechhap Road; Khar Khola (16.7 m) and Bhalu Khola (16.7m) on Leguwaghat-Tumlingtar (Sabha Khola); Hakraha Khola (16.7 m), Datta Kichha Khola (26.5 m), Sardu (Sunsari) Khola (33 m), Patnali Khola 1(62 m), Patnali Khola 2 (20.7 m), Bagh Khola (12 m), Karam Khola (25 m), Gauri Khola (20.7m ), Chhinna Mastak Khola (20.7 m), Bagundre Khola (16.7m), Bairawa Khola (51m), Seti Khola (62 m), Jarayo Khola (20.7m), Khar Khola (16.7 m), Yasodha Khola (40.8 m), Muti Khola (33 m), Jogini Khola (16m), Katari Khola (40.8m), Sisuwa Khola (51m), Gideri Khola (103.5m), Kali Khola (40.8m), Trijuga Khola (325m) Chandra Canal Alt1 (16m) and Chandra Canal Alt 2 (51m) on EWH-Koshi Bridge (Chatara)-EWH Road.
5. Economic Analysis covering traffic forecasts and economic appraisal of improvement options under sensitivity and risk scenarios.
6. Capacity Assessment of Executing/Implementing Agency procurement and financial management capacity.
7. Preparation of design and monitoring framework and performance monitoring system.

Client: Department Roads
Funding Agency: Exim Bank India
Period: November 2008 to July 2013
Consulting Association: GEOCE Consultants (P) Ltd, Soil Test (P) Ltd and Himal Integrated (P) Ltd JV
Approx. Value of Services: Total-NRs 68.91 Million; GEOCE’s part NRs 41.34 million
Professional Staff Input: National (279) person months.

Salient Details:

Road Improvement Project is one of recent major road upgrading projects in Neal. It included upgrading and construction of about 600 km feeder roads in 13 stretches of the Strategic Road Network (SRN). Package B included upgrading of 123 km roads comprising of Chandranigahapur-Gaur (44 km), Hilepani-Diktel (Hilepani-Halesi section, 40km), Maldhunga-Beni (13 km) and Basantpur-Myaglung (including two urban road stretches, 26 km) in Rautahat, Khotang, Myagdi and Tehrathum districts.

The scope of services comprised of:

1. Design Update and Preparation of Tender Documents for upgrading of Basantpur-Myaglung Road including two urban road stretches

• Review existing design and identify additional survey and design requirements for upgrading the remaining road section.
• Additional engineering surveys to establish/re-establish control points, carry out confirmatory survey to update the existing design to DOR Feeder Roads Standard, road inventory survey and identify retaining structures and drainage works required for road upgrading.
• Review existing subgrade soil investigation, conduct terrain evaluation and assess pavement support for design of sealed gravel pavement.
• Review and confirm source of construction materials for road upgrading.
• Update geometry design to DOR Feeder Roads Standard.
• Pavement design with Otta seal or other appropriate treatment options with specific consideration to stability of such treatments at steep grade, narrow curves, and problematic areas with regard to slope stability and drainage for remaining road section.
• Design of drainage and cross-drainage works for proper water management for remaining road section.
• Design of landslide protection and stabilization measures.
• Cost estimate and BOQ of road upgrading works.
• Prepare tender documents based on Standard Bid Documents and technical specifications