Update

GEORGE NEWS - The completion date for the road works in Caledon Street has been extended to mid-March.

According to municipal communications chief Chantel Edwards-Klose, the asphalt base along the entire left-hand lane (driving from the botanical garden to Davidson Road) was rejected by the engineer. "The asphalt mix did not meet the specifications. This was realised when conducting the acceptance control testing, and further evidenced by the cracking encountered in some areas along the road," said Edwards-Klose.

The project was initially due to be completed by the end of February.

She said contractors must source the asphalt mix from an approved asphalt supplier, based on an asphalt mix design which is pre-approved by the engineer to ensure it meets the specified mix requirements.

"The mix design forms the basis of the acceptance control, and all asphalt is required to be within certain allowable tolerances. In this instance, acceptance control tests done on the binder content in the asphalt mix that was placed did not meet the specifications. A too low binder content will result in a dry, weak layer, while a too high binder content will lead to 'bleeding'."

She said in this case, the failure was not related to the quality of the binder, but rather the quantity of the binder that was added to the asphalt mix.

The contractor has undertaken to mill and replace sections of the right-hand lane. 

"He has however requested that certain sections be retested, which he believes are acceptable. The engineer is awaiting these latest test results, and will make a final decision on which areas are to be removed once these have been received and analysed. All of this is done at the contractor's expense." 

She said the revised completion date can only be verified once the contractor has submitted a revised programme and the programme has been accepted and approved by the engineer.