April 2009

$6,172,158

Completed

Kunar

RC-East

Project Description

38km of Nowabad to Khas Kunar Paving is part of the Nawa Pass to Kunar provincial capital Asadabad truck route.

Project Goals

Reason for Project: 38km of pavement from Nowabad 42SXD9400055000 to Khas Kunar 42SXD7250036000 will connect a heavy truck route from Nawa Pass Road to the Abad Jbad Road via three truck bridges: Nowabad, Pashad, and Khas Kunar. This road will also connect the District Centers of Sarkani and Khas Kunar to the Kunar Provincial Capital Asadabad. This road is an integral part of the Nawa Pass, Karachi Pakistan to Kunar and Jalalabad Afghanistan international trade route. \

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Desired Project Effects: Short term economic benefit from road construction. Long term economic boom from ability to transport heavy loads of wood, iron ore, gems, grain, and textiles from Afghanistan to Pakistan will result in significant job growth and regional stability. International trade will result in growth of materials processing industries. Tollways could be established at the bridge points to generate transportation revenue for Afghanistan.\

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Measurable Effects: 40km of pavement from Nowabad to Khas Kunar. 20% growth in industry sector. 30% long term economic growth of provincial GDP. 30% job growth will result in regional stability. Vehicle maintenance cost will be reduced by 40%. Transit time will improve from 90 minutes to 60 minutes. 

Comments: PM on this project for work completion was LT Jessica Brick, LT David Pfaefflin took over for closeout following RIPTOA.

Results

The road project was completed in the fall of 2010. Project was officially turned over to the Provincial government on 31 OCT 2010. The road has very frequent use and connects an entire side of the southern river valley to the Provincial Capital. The contractor did a great job on this road and went beyond his requirements by fixing portions of the road prior to turnover that had been damaged by the floods of late summer 2010. All repair work was done free of charge as the contractor wanted to turn over a quality road. The road is 38 Km of typical valley road that is surrounded my mountains. This requires high maintenance to keep water control features such as washes and culverts functioning properly. The road will be under warranty for a period of one year to cover any issues resulting from construction. This does not cover lack of proper maintenence by the government.

Updates

Mar 14 2009 This is obligated. We''ll have Imran sign the contract and give them the notice to proceed. Jul 28 2009 Last QA June 30, 2009 Aug 3 2009 Work progressing well but slowly. Road mostly widened except for on bend between Nowabad road and Camp Joyce and that work is in progress. Aug 26 2009 Asphalt Paving has begun on the north end Sep 20 2009 Asphalt paving making good progress - Appears to be down to Joyce (starting from the Nawabad Bridge) QA completed Sept 20

A payment for up to 40% paid is submitted to Contracting Office

 Nov 30 2009 No Updates Jan 17 2010 Today we loaded up the financial clearance paperwork for this road. Our last QA/QC was over a month ago (where we confirmed 50% complete) We have a trip planned out for additional QA/QC in the next 2 weeks.

The Nowabad to Khas Kunar Rd saw a great deal of improvements to it since last week. New Base course Asphalt was placed from the 7+300 Km to the 7+550 point. There was also 7 points along the roadway where new retention walls for wash areas were being visibly worked. Three stretches of road work were also being improved with new sub base being placed in lengths from .5 Km to 1.5 Km in length. Progress was also made at various points along the end of the road with new structure work at 7 different locations. This last 8 Km has previously been of concern to the engineering team due to lack of attention from the contractor and is a big step forward for them. The largest improvement is the buildup of the Base Grade for this section of the road. \

2)\\ Recommendations: This contractor has made great strides this last week and should be commended for their progress. The amount of work produced this last week also shows a concerted effort being made by the contractor. The contractor should be encouraged to continue this pace in order to stay on schedule. \

3)\\ Location of Project: 42SXD9400055000 to 42SXD72000375\

4)\\ Price of Project: 6,172,157.00\

5)\\ Contractor : ICC\

7)\\ Number of workers: 60\

8)\\ KCC Graduates: 8\

 Jan 23 2010 Subject: Nowabad to Khas Kunar RD. 

The purpose of this visit was to assess the amount of progress completed by the contractor and to ensure the work completed was preformed correctly. The road work has really progress significantly during that last few months. It is apparent that the contractor is dedicated to completing the road in a timely fashion. The road is paved completely with asphalt from the 0+00 point to approximately 7+00 (42S XD 9166 48500) where the asphalt transitions to a single layer. There is a small section of the road (100 Meters) that transitions down to only one lane of asphalt, this is located at approximately 10+285 (42S XD 89886 47208). At grid 42S XD 86926 45442 the asphalt stops and the contractor is actively placing the base coarse. The Asphalt begins again at grid 42S XD 85075 44566. The road again reduces down to one lane of asphalt with the other lane treated with the prime coat in preparation for a layer of asphalt at 20+00 (42S XD 81107 41973) and continues to grid 80540 41675 a which point the road is base course. The contractor is actively working on all aspects of the road construction to include base course, washes, and culverts. Mar 8 2010 Making excellent progress. Wearing layer complete on over half of the road. Had IED blast to their dump truck. Two serious injured, loss of truck. Mar 22 2010 Received ICC''s verification letter of acceptance of UBCC''s work on the 3.5m Khas Kunar Bridge approach road. UBCC, as part of the Khas Kunar to Guryak Road, was required to widen the road to a minimum of 6 meters as well as all road structures (culvert, retaining walls, etc). ICC, as part of their Nowabad to Khas Kunar contract, is required to pave the 3.5km road including the sub-base, aggregate base and in asphalt. ICC, having accepted the work of UBCC can start work effective 22 March 2010. Acceptance letter was received from Dr. Fahim, Director of ICC, and is dated 22 March 2010. Apr 28 2010 QA conducted on 26 April 2010. (Uploaded to media)This ride through was to monitor the progress of construction for the Nowabad to Khas Kunar Road. According the contract, the road should be 38 km of asphalt road. The portion of the road that runs along Rte Beaverton should be 7m wide with 1m shoulders on each side (9m total ROW). The PRT agreed to allow the portion of the road that runs through the Khas Kunar village (that connects to the Khas Kunar Bridge) to be less narrow. \

The contractor needs to do a better job of marking stations for the length of the project. There are gaps with no visible stations marked from 9+000-17+000, 18+000-20+000, 21+000-23+000, 24+000-27+000, 29+500-34+000, & 35+000-project end. \

Stationing & Grid Coordinates\

o 2+100 = 42S XD 93445 53079\

o 3+150 = 42S XD 93283 52062\

o 3+800 = 42S XD 93226 51424\

o 4+925 = 42S XD 92814 50306\

o 5+825 = 42S XD 92535 49468\

o 7+100 = 42S XD 91703 48562\

o 8+325 = 42S XD 90973 47619\

o 8+475 = 42S XD 90555 47650\

o 17+350 = 42S XD 83968 43839\

o 20+305 = 42S XD 81512 42241\

o 23+600 = 42S XD 79062 40172\

o 25+700 = 42S XD 77748 38836\

o 27+500 = 42S XD 76454 37778\

o 29+125 = 42S XD 75496 36483\

o 31+125 = 42S XD 74080 35241\

o 34+125 = 42S XD 72769 35412\

o 35+100 = 42S XD 71715 36086\

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Asphalt roads consists of 4 main steps of construction: sub base, rock aggregate base coarse, asphalt binder, and wearing coarse. \

Sub Base: The compacted earth sub base is complete to 34+500\

The contractor appears to be working on the sub base beyond ~34+500. There was a water truck, grader, compactor, material, and ~10 workers present in this area. \

The area beyond 35+000 still requires the sub base, in addition to the removal of rocks and debris. \

Road beyond 35+00, no sub base w/debris\

Aggregate Base Coarse: The rock aggregate base coarse is completed to ~26+500 \

Progress transitions to 1 side of the road having aggregate base coarse from ~26+500 to ~28+000\

1 side of the road with aggregate base coarse from ~26+500 to 27+500\

From ~28+000 to 29+300 there are piles of material for the aggregate base coarse in place\

Asphalt Binder: Construction observed as far as ~25+000 at 42S XD 77828 38878\

Wearing Coarse: Given the nature of the site visit, it is difficult to determine an exact location where the application of the wearing coarse ends, but it appears to end near ~21+000 (42S XD 80829 41675 near the Bahrabat School). \

Near 17+500, there a 2 patches in the road that require paving. \

Example of patches in the road\

Near ~18+500 there is an area with the paving is missing. It is believed that this area was the detonation area for an IED several months ago (42S XD 82767 43091). \

Washes: The contractor should provide an update detailing the number of complete washes, washes in progress, washes remaining, and the station location for all washes. There are still several washes that are complete that have significant gaps between the edge of the wash and the roadway. There is ongoing construction on a wash located at 42S XD 74812 35747 with no workers onsite at the time of site visit.\

Debris: There is still debris on the road for a significant portion of the project. The contractor needs to take the necessary measures to clean the roadway. \

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Recommendations: The PRT needs to verify the intended length of the road from the contractor. The contractor provided an overall alignment for the road project at the time of the site survey, but the PRT would have an easier time monitoring the progress of construction if the progress was tracked via the alignment. This may also clear up the contractor''s "confusion" regarding their estimate of the work that has been completed. The PRT QA assessment implies that the project''s percent complete is significantly less than claimed by the contractor as submitted by their progress report. The PM plans to meet with the contractor to discuss the progress. PM plans to request more detailed project reports.\

Recommend the PRT utilize the GPS camera on the next site visit to give exact coordinates of all areas in question. \

The contractor is contractually obligated to perform specific tests on the asphalt that would provide data points to access the overall quality of the work. Given the size of this project, these tests become more important to the PRT in terms of quantifying the quality of the construction. The contractor should refer to the SOW, where detailed information regarding the testing requirements for the asphalt and other construction materials is outlined in detail. May 31 2010 CTR submitted a more detailed progress report in response to a PRT request. Report is from 18 May 2010. Road Structures (pipe culverts, box culverts, causeways, retaining walls): 37+750 Complete

Sub-Base Course: 37+750 Complete

Aggregrate Course: 34+250 Complete

Asphalt Binder Course: 30+000 Complete

Wearing Course: 24+000 Complete

ICC constructed 11 box culverts, 57 pipe culverts, 45 causeways in 34km of road from Nowabad Bridge to Khas Kunar Bridge. This represents an increase from their original proposal of 32 causeways and 43 culverts. UBCC was responsible for the structure work at the 35+250 to 37+750 section of road through Khas Kunar village). 

Meeting was held to discuss project status. As requested for future PRT QA''s, the CTR marked each kilometer of road (previous markings were apparently incorrect). The progress indicated from the previous PRT assessment did not correspond to the CTR''s stated progress. CTR stated that the reason was along the road so the CTR agreed to provide new mile markers along the entire route. Pictures of the new mile markers were provided, but PRT has not conducted a QA with the new mile markers in place. ICC stated that the reason for the incorrect mile markers was because of the threat from the Taliban to plant IEDs along the route by identifying the target using the mile markers. Project is approximately 80% complete and a payment was submitted based on the progress completed. Jun 28 2010 CTR submitted progress reporting indicating over 90% complete. Although no recent QA was conducted (security issues), the PRT traveled the sections of the road in early June to conduct QAs of schools and verified significant progress had been made. PM submitted 90% progress payment.

Only remaining items are 5km of the wearing course and various sections of road that require shoulder work.

23 June Progress Report

Road Structures: 37+750 Complete

Sub-Base Course: 37+750 Complete

Aggregate Base Course: 37+750 Complete

Asphalt Binder Course: 37+750 Complete

Wearing Course: 32+000 Complete Aug 3 2010 On July 27, 2010, PM received email from the CTR stating that the Nowabad to Khas Kunar Road project is complete. Dr Fahim stated that all concerns identified in the PRT''s previous QA report had been addressed including completion of shoulders, damaged culverts from IED blasts, and various sections of road showing poor quality paving or removal of debris. ICC requested a final inspection be conducted. However, shortly after this request there was heavy rains and flooding throughout Kunar Province. According to the CTR, the heavy rains resulted in approximately $250k of damage to the road structures. The CTR has requested additional funds for repairs due to the flooding and heavy rains. It is unlikely additional funds will be provided, but a meeting with the CTR and PRT has been scheduled to discuss the repairs that are required. Aug 25 2010 QA conducted on 21 August. Contractor requested final inspection of the Nowabad to Khas Kunar Road. The paving portion of the project is complete, but there are several issues that will need to be addressed before the contract can be closed out. 

Shoulders: The SOW requires 1m shoulders on each side of the road. The design shows that the contractor intended to use sub-base top with a thin road surface treatment. The SOW does not implicitly require a surface treatment, but does require some form of protection greater than compacted dirt. In addition, the submitted design requires the shoulders to have a 4% slope away from the roadway. None of the shoulders met the requirements of the design. The following are a few of the variations that were discovered during the QA/QC. 

Shoulders: The SOW requires 1m shoulders on each side of the road. The design shows that the contractor intended to use sub-base top with a thin road surface treatment. The SOW does not implicitly require a surface treatment, but does require some form of protection greater than compacted dirt. In addition, the submitted design requires the shoulders to have a 4% slope away from the roadway. None of the shoulders met the requirements of the design. The following are a few of the variations that were discovered during the QA/QC. 

Washes: Many of the washes are covered in debris. This debris should be removed to allow for proper storm drainage flow in the event of a rain storm. The wash cannot properly function in its current condition. 

In addition, the overall condition of several washes and associated retaining walls already show signs of wearing. There are multiple failure possibilities these washes, including erosion, retaining wall failure, or ultimate collapse.

There are several washes that have been paved over. This pavement is already starting to deteriorate and will have potholes within months. 

Culverts: Numerous culvert protection systems are already cracked, damaged, or poorly constructed. In addition, there are many culverts that need to be checked for erosion damage. The culvert or the roadway can ultimately fail if the earth continues to be washed from underneath or around the drainage system.

 

Recommendations: The contractor needs to clean the roadway and washes of all dirt and debris. There are repairs to culverts and washes that will need to be addressed. In its current condition, the roadway will be in need of repairs within a year. Meeting was held with the contractor to discuss these concerns. Contractor agreed to make some repairs and provide an update in 10-15 days. Contractor requested final payment. Typically, PRT will wait to process the final payment, but some of the damage was caused by the heavy rains and flooding in July. PRT agreed to process the payment pending an update in 2 weeks. Contractor has requested additional funds to cover some of the costs of damages that were clearly related to the flooding. PRT is looking in to providing additional funding.

 

 Oct 3 2010 CTR is 100% complete with paving. CTR still in process of making repairs to causeways, retaining walls and culverts on the 38km stretch of road. Heavy rains and flooding caused significant damage to the road. Oct 23 2010 Opening Ceremony for road scheduled for 31 October 2010.

Contractor still in process of making repairs to the road due to a combination of quality issues and flooding destruction.

Last QA conducted on 14 October 2010. Contractor has a submitted photos indicating major repairs to a concrete wash and a large retaining wall.

Many of the washes are still covered in debris. Numerous washes are either incomplete due to damage from the flood or under repair. Washes at the following locations still need work:

42SXD 93316 52368

42SXD 92029 48962

42SXD 96224 56839

42SXD 91300 48120

42SXD 89468 46796

42XSD 89116 46424

42SXD 88330 45901

42SXD 88186 45850

42SXD 87387 45556

42SXD 86425 44816

Wash near Bahrabat school

PM looking into paying CTR for some of these repairs as much of the repairs are due to the flooding. Nov 25 2010 Road was completed at the end of October 2010, concluding with an opening ceremony. Final payment was delayed due to a line of accounting data change stemming from the contract mod when project shifted to payment in Afghani. Finance issue was resloved on 11/23/2010 and final payment resubmitted 11/24/2010. Payment information will be updated once the final payment clears finance and project closeout paperwork will be completed and uploaded.