The Central University of Technology (CUT), Free State, has received recognition for its successful piloting of a private-public road infrastructure maintenance project, the Pothole Eradication Programme. This recognition is by the South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) and South African Institution of Civil Engineering (Saice).
Prof. Lize Theron, associate professor of Civil Engineering at the CUT, accepted the Sanral-Saice award acknowledging the programme as the best in the category for community-based projects on 13 September.
The project is regarded as significant in advancing the development of skills and experience, while creating employment for about 650 youths since its launch in November last year.
It is piloted in the five districts of the Free State as an intervention to improve numerous badly damaged roads, owing to government’s failure to maintain infrastructure.
Some of the youth enlisted in the road maintenance pilot project of fixing several roads in Free State snapped on hands on.
The project is a collaboration between the Department of Community Safety, Roads and Transport, CivilLab@CUT, the CUT’s Civil Engineering department, and CUT Research Partners.
The project’s ambitious goal is to repair 70 000 m² of road sections following strides made in the eradication of potholes and improving the conditions of roads in the province.
Theron is optimistic that ongoing research will ensure the solutions implemented for long-term road maintenance are sustainable.
“The initiative invests in infrastructure and human capital, leading to improved road conditions and also a more prosperous future for all Free State residents,” said Theron.
“Receiving a commendation provides visibility for our university among important players in the civil engineering sector. Recognition might open more networking opportunities with the giants of this industry, which will lead to more collaborations.
“The commendation also serves as a benchmark for the quality of work expected in community-based engineering projects,” said Theron.
