Three consulting engineer-ing firms have been awarded contracts that are collectively worth more than M40-million, about R39-million, as part of the advance infrastructure works for the multibillion rand, binational Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP), being undertaken by the governments of Lesotho and South Africa.

One of the contracts is for the consultation on the design and supervision of the construction of the Polihali north–east access road, another for the supervision of geotechnical investigations for the Polihali dam and the Polihali–Katse water transfer tunnel, while the third relates to the demarcation of the Polihali reservoir, says Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA) CE Refiloe Tladi.

“The appointment of the three consultants on Phase II of the LHWP is a significant step for the project and another step towards strengthening the economy of Lesotho,” he states.

The Polihali north–east access road contract, or Contract 3014, includes the upgrade of the existing road to a gravel road suitable to facilitate the safe movement of construction vehicles during the mobilisation of machinery and facilities.

The road will also be used by other advance infrastructure contractors, who mainly comprise housing contractors, who will require unhindered access to the Polihali dam site.

The consulting on Contract 3014 will be undertaken by the SMEC-FMA joint venture, comprising multinational consulting engineering firm SMEC’s Bloemfontein office and Lesotho-based civil and structural engineering consultancy FM Associates.

Meanwhile, consulting firm Jeffares & Green, in association with consulting company GWC Consulting Engineers, has been appointed to undertake the supervision of the geotechnical investigations for the Polihali dam and the Polihali–Katse water transfer tunnel.

“The geotechnical investigations will involve extraction of rock and soil for testing purposes to provide comprehensive data for the dam and tunnel design consultants. The investigations will also identify the suitability, quality and quantity of construction material found at all investigated quarries,” Tladi elaborates.

Further, the demarcation of the Polihali Reservoir contract was won by Maseru-based company Maleka, Ntshihlele, Putsoa Joint Venture.

Reservoir demarcation entails surveying and constructing beacons around the perimeter of the Polihali reservoir at a level 5 m higher than the full supply level.

“Reservoir demarcation is critical for the acquisition of land and the resettlement and compensation of people in the district whose homes and livelihoods will be affected by the construction of the dam. It is also essential for the planning of the Phase II activities,” she highlights.

The procurement of consultants for the design of the Phase II advance infrastructure works, which comprise roads, camps, reservoir demarcation, geotechnical studies, power lines and telecommunication systems, is currently in progress and will continue for the remainder of the year.

The implementation of environmental and social mitigation measures will also start shortly in advance of the main access roads, the dam and tunnel contracts.

Phase II of the LHWP is expected to start supplying South Africa with water by 2023. The project is expected to cost R17.5-billion. Phase I of the LHWP was officially completed in 2004.