Engineering consultant Zutari has completed several aspects of Phase 1 and Phase 1A of the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (TASEZ), for which it provided civil and structural engineering services associated with bulk and internal infrastructure.

Zutari professional engineering technologist and project coordinator Jaco Kriek, says the company is also responsible for all quality controls, site management and administration, the measuring of quantities for approving bills of quantities and the processing of contractor payment certificates.

There are several phases in the rollout of the TASEZ. These comprise the Phase 1 bulk earthworks platforms and retaining walls and internal infrastructure, as well as the Phase 1A bulk earthworks platforms and, retaining walls and internal infrastructure.

Bulk infrastructure, such as bulk water supply and bulk road infrastructure, as well as intersection upgrades, are also being designed and implemented by Zutari, says Kriek.

Zutari has completed the design, tendering and overhead construction management of bulk earthworks platforms and retaining walls, as well as internal infrastructure, including water and sewer reticulation systems, internal roads and stormwater, for both phases.

Zutari is also involved in managing on-site infrastructure construction, including water and sewer reticulation, roads and stormwater.

Moreover, Zutari was responsible for updating existing Traffic Impact Assessment reports based on the new developments and the implementation thereof, as well as stormwater management plans for both phases.

Designs and construction of both Phase 1 and Phase 1A bulk earthworks platforms and retaining walls are complete and construction of internal infrastructure for both phases, as well as the bulk water supply line and bulk roads, have commenced, says Kriek.

“Owing to the fast-track nature of the project and tight timelines, Zutari used a large team on the project that is 100% dedicated to the timeous delivery of milestones.”

The team, managed by a professional engineer with vast experience of similar SEZ projects, includes professionally registered engineers who lead the various divisions, junior engineers, technologists, technicians and computer-aided design operators, with a dedicated full-time site team for construction management and supervision.

Moreover, a project coordinator manages all the reports and design submissions to the City of Tshwane, the implementing agent and other organisations for timeous approval.

Zutari used a specialist to compile tender documents, with an experienced quantity surveying team providing further assistance with the bills of quantities and assisted the implementing agent with tender evaluation of the main contractors.

Kriek adds that Zutari used drone images and videos, which were sent to international clients in the US and Australia, to monitor progress and keep the clients abreast of developments.

The company also assisted the implementing agent in determining small, medium-sized and microenterprise (SMME) packages that had to comply with a minimum of 45% of the estimated contract value and further assisted with the compiling of draft procurement packages for appointing the SMME contractors.

Economic Driver

The TASEZ is a key driver for economic growth in the City of Tshwane and in Gauteng.

“It is key to creating employment opportunities and promotes economic participation for SMMEs in the region,” says Kriek.

It is expected that more than 20 000 jobs will be created with the larger development of the project over time.

Kriek emphasises the fact that the client, TASEZ, believes that the project has the potential to provide direct and ready linkages to regional and international markets, making exports easy to the Southern African Development Community, which makes it “a truly world-class African automotive city”.

The vision of the project is to be the benchmark for SEZs in South Africa while contributing to the growth of the local automotive sector, with the objective being to be a major creator of new businesses and a contributor to employment through transformation and socioeconomic development.