Heritage Cases

EOH-Coastal & Environmental Services (EOH-CES) have been appointed as independent Environmental Assessment Practitioner (EAP) by the project proponent, the South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL), to apply for Environmental Authorization (EA), including a Scoping Report (SR), Environmental Impact Report (EIR) and Environmental Management Plan (EMPr) to the National Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) and the Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) respectively for the proposed Upgrade of the R63-Section 13, Fort Beaufort [km35.77] to Alice [km58.86], Nkonkobe Local Municipality, Eastern Cape. The proposed development is situated between general development co-ordinates S32°46’35.6”; E26°37’10.1” (Fort Beaufort) and S32°47’24.4”; E26°49’58.2” (Alice), and comprises an approximate 23km road upgrade, including realignments, of the R63-Section 13 from Fort Beaufort to Alice. One (1) hard rock quarry [BP-01] and six (6) borrow pits [BP-03, BP-04, BP-05, BP-06, BP-07 and BP-08] will be utilized for building material during the construction phase. Major development aspects of the proposed development include (EOH-CES 2016b): o Increase of the road reserve width from 30m to a minimum of 50m in width; o General widening of the existing road cross section for climbing lanes and 2.5m surfaced shoulders. The main carriageway is 6.4m and will be increased to a minimum of 12.4m. The total width, with the addition of passing lanes, will equal a minimum of 14.6m; o Substantial vertical and horizontal geometric improvements from a generally 80km/h to a 100-120km/h design speed. o Rehabilitation of pavement structure on the existing alignment and construction of a new pavement on the new alignment; o Stabilization of cut faces (existing and new); o Widening / construction of new bridges, agricultural underpasses and drainage structures; and o Utilization of 1 hard rock quarry (owned by a Community Trust) and borrow pits.