| USAID Banda Aceh to Calang Road/Bridges Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Project Stakeholder Update |
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| Written by Administrator | |
| Tuesday, 09 March 2010 | |
 Priority Contractor’s project manager receives certificate of appreciation from USAID after final completion of the entire Priority Contract. The project reached a major milestone with the successful completion of Priority Contract. The handover certificate of Section 2B – the last section of Priority Contract that runs from Km 18 to Km 29 - was signed in February by USAID, the contractor, the CMC (Construction Management Contractor) and the Provincial Public Works. This handover signing marked the completion of the Priority Contract’s work and commenced the contractor’s one-year warrantee period on the final section. The Priority Contract had been awarded in August 2005 for the maintenance of the emergency road as well as limited construction of a new section of road. Later to contract was amended to replace critical temporary roads and bridges in the most highly traveled northern section of the Aceh Road between Banda Aceh and Lamno. Although the contract concluded well past its originally envisioned completion date for reasons described in previous reports, the newly constructed sections of the Aceh Road are unquestionably among the finest in Indonesia and are a testament on USAID’s insistence on superior quality.  USAID’s team leader, Roy Ventura, briefs the bidders of the scope of work during the Section 4 pre-bid site visit on February 18. February was also highlighted by the pre-bid meeting and site visit of the Section 4 construction re-bid package, a 13 km segment between Lamno and Unga. The pre-bid meeting was conducted on February 17th in Governor’s Office followed by a site visit on February 18th to explain to the qualified potential bidders the terms of the contract and to demonstrate on site the scope of work. The meeting was also attended by officials of Public Works Office, the Vice Regent of Aceh Jaya Mr. Tgk Zamzani A. Rani and the Aceh Provincial Secretary, Mr. Husni Bahri TOB, who gave presentation and assured the bidders that the Aceh Government has settled the land acquisition and community issues in Section 4. He added that the community has pledged to support the construction. The Vice Bupati also made a presentation and guaranteed the government’s cooperation. He also committed to promptly resolving all matters that might arise that would impact the construction. Proposals are due in March with the award expected two or three months thereafter. The successful bidder is expected to complete the construction within 15 months. The strengthening of the Kartika temporary bridge in early February by the Indonesian Military (TNI) is expected to facilitate the project’s completion by easing the transport of materials across the Lambeuso River to the construction sites south of Lamno. The bridge’s deck was strengthened and metal beams were added to support loads up to 35 tons. Meanwhile, the Prime Contractor is focusing on completing the remaining items in Section C (Lhoong village, some 50 km south of Banda Aceh) before a planned handover to the Public Works Department in March. These items include the installation of guardrail, grass planting to stabilize road slopes, and installation of signs.  The Pante Kliyun Bridge (Km 132+915) in Sawang village is one of the three truss bridges opened for public traffic this month. Not to be overshadowed, the bridge construction in Section F just a few kilometers north of Calang also made notable advancements. Three truss bridges were opened to public traffic during February, namely the Blang Monlung (Km 110+565), Patek (124+025), and Pante Kliyun (Km 132+915) Bridges. Construction of two other truss bridges, Caleh and Masen Bridges, is aggressively advancing with the expectation that they will be open to traffic in March. The Prime Contractor continues to put a strong effort to advance the earthworks in Section E between Unga (Km 86) and Lhok Kruet (Km 110). With the excavation of some hills nearing completion, unpaved segments of the new corridor are being opened to the public. To improve transport on these newly opening segments, the contractor is targeting the commencement of paving in Section E before the end of February.  Compacting common embankment at Km 105 in Section E of Prime Contract. Unfortunately, the Prime Contractor continues to face challenges in obtaining raw aggregate material that is needed for the road base and the asphalt surface. The Teunom River source has not been producing for the last month due to unresolved disputes between the crusher plant owner and the local truckers. An alternate mountain source of raw aggregate is now being used near Km 155 to supply the crusher in the south base camp. The contractor has been advised to operate their quarries and crusher plants for extended hours to not only ensure that sufficient supplies of aggregate are produced for daily use but also to build adequate stockpiles to sustain progress during equipment breakdowns, community obstruction, inclement weather, flooding or other causes of stoppages. With bridges, drainage structures and earthworks drawing closer to completion, the remaining construction in the Prime Contract will soon be overwhelmingly governed by the production and placement of aggregate in the form of aggregate base and AC pavement. ##### *Maps showing the different sections of the road covered by the Prime and Priority Contracts are available at www.acehroad.org by clicking ‘Building the Road’ under ‘Project Area’. This Stakeholder Update and other information, photos and articles are available at www.acehroad.org. For specific queries or information about the Aceh Road and Bridge Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Project, please email:
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or call: (61-651) 40280 or 40281 |
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| Last Updated ( Sunday, 28 March 2010 ) |
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