Considering Factors For New Road Construction

Before constructing any desired road, there are few factors that need to be consider carefully in choosing the right and yet convenient location of the new road. This is very important as proper planning with systematic approach needed in terms of time, budget, resources, safety, and eco-friendly to environment.

There are six main factors for road construction at certain location which is topographic condition, soil characteristics, environmental aspect, economical aspect, historical site, and political influence.

For the above matters, a scenario developed to support the consideration factors in building a new road. In CCS: Figure 1, there are two country namely as country A and country B with two different profiles.

Topography Condition
The Earth’s profile or topography condition of certain section will eventually influence the capacity of the road, the exact purpose yet convenient to built it, and the total cost for the whole project. The surface profiles will not always flat and sometimes there is an area with greater elevation such as hilly area or highland. This will ultimately increase the cut and fill of earthworks, and the operation cost as a whole plus developing a road with low capacity due to low of design speed.

First let’s take a look at CCS: Figure 2 as some part of country A is covered with hilly area at western side. A road builds to connect the cityscape and the industrial zone on the other side. The industrial zone is vital for country A economic growth and significantly upgrade its status as powerhouse.

As per CCS: Figure 3, the secondary bridge build crossing the river to connect the cityscape with the town (as 2nd city) as well as connector to outside country.

Soil Characteristic
The soil characteristic plays an important role as it relatively related with the earthworks costing and of course the whole road construction cost. In general, suitable soil required mostly as filing materials and normally the weaker ones should not be use (example; pit soil), thus should be replace. Nonetheless, the moderate type of soil which consider can be taken into use due to lack of resources, should be treat properly before use in construction.

Environmental Aspect
Significantly, road construction relatively will give an impact to the surrounding of environment and it should be create as part of the local surrounding. The impact or effect upon the environmental should be study first (also by research) with positive outcomes which is to make sure the road project would not have any negative measures upon natural habitat of wildlife, plants, and human community. Besides that, the project progress should be properly planned so that pollution upon environment as a result of the construction can be prevent or minimize.

In CCS: Figure 4 showing the sustainable development is important for preserving natural resources such as forest and could still make progress in development without jeopardizing the environmental aspect.

Economical Aspect
When it comes to economy, financial would be the number one priority of any country or nation and it is the factor most likely to be consider with deep analytical studies. Before commencing any project, an economic study will determine the cost versus the benefit that involves. Normally the main road of connecting two places is constructed from the Government funding and the alternative roads constructed mostly from the private sector funding. Any proposed road project would offer an effective connection and may bring development to the connected place (between rural and urban area) which will increased the socio-economy and lifestyle of the local residents.

Showing in CCS: Figure 5 where country B projected its economy mostly from agricultural sector as the land structure is mostly flat with good soil quality for planting activities. As shown, the planting of paddy and corn as the source of food, and also can be export to country A. The local villager residents would not be left behind as development also needed at rural area, example the education aspect.

Historical Site
It is best to make sure the selected pathway will not ruin the historical places such as ancient cemetery, old building structures, monuments, landmarks, and so forth. Any proposed road that runs through this sacred place should be diverting and this will help to preserve our national treasure.

One of the local attractions of country B would be its historical place, as shown in CCS: Figure 6. The tourist will not only limit to country A but also from other countries. Hmm…the Stonehenge and Easter Statue combines…

Political Influence
This factor seldom becomes a big issue unless a road project which involves several countries or nations. A mutual agreement between these countries or nations in that particular road project must be archived before it could become a reality. The internal politics of certain country (upon location) would most likely given deep impact or effect upon the level of interest as a result of the project, take example in terms of import and export which benefit both parties.

The main bridge becomes a mutual connector between country A and country B (shown in CCS: Figure 7) as well as road to outside country from country A in CCS: Figure 8. Both will benefit a lot from the political agreement and will strengthen their alliance especially when comes to the economical agenda.

Constructing any new road is not an easy task as most people thought it would be. Lots of effort and brainstorming were put into the action in order to make it happen. The figure above modeled with Google Sketchup where the terrain, road and bridges designed by me and the props ‘borrowed’ from the 3D Warehouse. Thanks and cheers…

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Tagged as: Road and Highway

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