WEREDA ROAD
MAINTENANCE GUIDE
PRESERVING COMMUNITY ACCESS
ii iii
CONTENTS
1. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS......................................................................V
2. INTRODUCTION.................................................................................VI
3. ROAD TERMS & FEATURES.................................................................1
4. SAFETY................................................................................................2
5. MANAGE THE RAIN WATER - DEFECTS (1-16 OF ERA LVR MANUALS .
PART G) AND REPAIR ACTIVITIES........................................................3
1. Trees, bushes, grass overgrown.....................................................4
2. Shoulder uneven or does not drain away from road surface.........6
3. Shoulder erosion............................................................................6
4-01. Culvert silted/obstructed...............................................................8
4-02. Drain silted.....................................................................................8
5-01. Ditch or slope eroded (Minor)......................................................10
5-02. Ditch or slope eroded (Major)......................................................10
6-01. Mortared masonry damaged.......................................................12
6-02. Dry masonry damaged.................................................................12
7. Gabion damaged.........................................................................14
8. Erosion in drain............................................................................14
9. Earth road surface potholed, uneven or
does not drain to shoulder...........................................................16
10. Gravel surface potholed...............................................................16
11. Gravel surface uneven or does not drain
to shoulder (minor < 3cm)............................................................18
12. Gravel surface uneven or does not drain to
shoulder (major > 3cm)................................................................20
13. Gravel Surface too thin................................................................22
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iv v
14.
15.
Paved road pothole or surface defect..............................................
Road sign dirty.................................................................................
1. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
16. Road sign paint defective................................................................
This Wereda Road Maintenance Guide has been prepared by the Ethiopian
6. HAND TOOLS........................................................................................ Roads Authority with the assistance of UKAid through the Africa Community
Access Partnership (AFCAP). The project was coordinated by Civil Design
7. PRODUCTIVITY GUIDANCE...................................................................
Solutions, with production by Robert Petts and artwork by Patricia Petts.
8. WHEN AND WHERE TO OBTAIN HELP.................................................
© Ethiopian Roads Authority
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vi Maintenance Guide - 1
2. INTRODUCTION 3. ROAD TERMS & FEATURES
This Road Maintenance Guide is designed for use by supervisors and managers
at wereda level, to assist them to identify road defects and remedy them on a
regular basis.
The pictorial format is designed to help with the instruction of labourers and
community members on the various maintenance tasks on earth, gravel and
paved road surfaces, and the off-road features.
For each Defect, the Remedial Maintenance Activity is shown on the facing
page of the Guide.
All of the tasks can be carried out by unskilled or skilled labour. Some light
equipment may be required occasionally to support the labour activities or
improve efficiency. For the maintenance works to be effective and lasting, they
should be carried out in accordance with this Guide and the ERA Low Volume
Roads (LVR) Design Manual Part G.
Supervisors should take time to ensure that contractors, community members
and labourers understand the work to be undertaken. Training and familiarisation
are an important part of the introduction of effective maintenance. Guidance is
provided for the range of productivities expected for each activity.
If not maintained, the kebele access roads will deteriorate rapidly and possibly
become impassable during the rains. Roads in poor condition will discourage
transporters, minibuses, service providers, and retard investments, social and
economic development.
Camber or Crossfall – The road surface is normally sloped from the centre line
to either shoulder to shed rainwater. For earth or gravel roads this fall should
be 4 to 6 cm every 1 metre across the road. For paved roads this should be 2
to 3 cm every 1 metre.
Camber board – a wooden or metal template to be used with a spirit level to
check the road surface crossfall.
Drain template – a wooden or metal template of the correct drain profile.
Dry masonry – Natural stone work using dry (no mortar) joints and relying on
the natural interlock of the individual stones for stability.
Gabion – Stone-filled wire or steel mesh cage.
Mortared masonry – Natural stone work using sand-cement mortar in the joints
to improve the natural interlock of the individual stones for stability.
Outfall – Outlet of a drain or culvert.
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Scour Check – Constructed in a drain or ditch to reduce water speed/erosion.
Shoulder – The edge of the road surface, next to the side ditch or side slope.
5. MANAGE THE RAIN WATER
Turn out (or mitre drain) – a drain constructed at an angle to the centreline of
the road to divert water from the side drains.
4. SAFETY
Whenever work is carried out on the road, the safety of workers and road users
must be a priority. Warning signs should be placed at either end of works being
carried out on the road surface.
Rain water is the main enemy of the road. The water must be managed to
minimise damage to the road.
If water is allowed to stay on the road it will cause damage. The drainage system
includes the camber, side drains, turn out and cut-off drains and culverts/drifts
to manage the rain water. Maintenance of the drainage system is the most
important road maintenance responsibility.
Although the maintenance tasks can be carried out at any time of the year, the
recommended seasonal priorities are indicated for each activity:
Before the rains
During the rains
After the rains
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DEFECT 1. ACTIVITY 1.
Trees, bushes, grass overgrown on the side and shoulder of the road Bush clearing and grass cutting
Dispose of cuttings safely. Do not leave in the drain or burn.
Seasonal Priority: After the rains
ACTIVITY 1.
Mechanised grass cutting
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DEFECT 2. ACTIVITY 2.
Shoulder uneven or does not drain away from road surface Reshape shoulder
Ensure road surface drains to side drain or slope.
Seasonal Priority: After the rains
DEFECT 3. ACTIVITY 3.
Shoulder erosion Repair erosion, plant grass and water
Seasonal Priority: During the rains
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DEFECT 4-01. ACTIVITY 4-01.
Culvert/drift silted/obstructed Clean culvert/drift and inlet and outlet
Place excavated soil well clear of culvert/drains, so that it does not wash back
into the culvert or drain.
Seasonal Priority: Before the rains
DEFECT 4-02. ACTIVITY 4-02.
Drain silted Clear side drain and turn outs
Use a drain template to achieve the correct drain profile.
Seasonal Priority: Before the rains
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DEFECT 5-01. ACTIVITY 5-01.
Ditch or slope eroded (Minor) Repair erosion damage
Fill erosion channels with good material. If necessary, build scour checks
(Activity 8) in drain and provide terracing or wattling on eroded side slopes.
Seasonal Priority: Before the rains
DEFECT 5-02. ACTIVITY 5-02.
Ditch or slope eroded (Major) Repair erosion damage; rockfill, terracing or wattling
Refer to Regional Authority regarding cause and remedy.
Consult with the Regional Road Authority regarding cause and remedy. May
Seasonal Priority: Before the rains
be caused by unstable ground or water problems. Specialist advice is required.
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DEFECT 6-01. ACTIVITY 6-01.
Mortared Masonry damaged Mortared masonry repair
Damage to headwalls or retaining walls. Use sand-cement mortar to secure replacement stones.
Seasonal Priority: Before the rains
DEFECT 6-02. ACTIVITY 6-02.
Dry masonry damaged Dry masonry repair
It may be advisable to mortar the replacement stones in place, particularly the
top layer.
Seasonal Priority: Before the rains
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DEFECT 7. ACTIVITY 7.
Gabion damaged Gabion structure repair
Seek guidance from Regional Road
Authority on repair works. Refer to the
ERA LVR Manual Part G for detailed
instructions on gabion work. For fill
material the individual stone size must
be larger than the gaps in the wire
mesh.
Seasonal Priority: Before the rains
DEFECT 8. ACTIVITY 8.
Erosion in drain Repair erosion in drain and build stone scour checks
Seasonal Priority: Before the rains
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DEFECT 9. ACTIVITY 9.
Earth road surface potholed, uneven or does not drain to shoulder Reshape and compact earth road camber
Drain off any standing water. Add good material if necessary. Can be done
manually or with tractor towed grader. Crossfall 4-6%. Check with camber
board.
Seasonal Priority: During the rains
DEFECT 10. ACTIVITY 10.
Gravel surface potholed Spot repair, gravel material
Remove loose material. Use good quality new material. Wet the material a little
if necessary and compact using vertical blows with the hand rammer.
Seasonal Priority: After the rains
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DEFECT 11. ACTIVITY 11.
Gravel surface uneven or does not drain to shoulder (minor < 3cm) Light reshaping gravel surface
May be carried out manually or using a tractor towed grader. Cross fall 4-6%.
Rain season moisture in the material helps it to bed down after reshaping.
Seasonal Priority: During the rains
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DEFECT 12. ACTIVITY 12.
Gravel surface uneven/does not drain to shoulder (major > 3cm) Blade gravel road (heavy)
This is best carried out by a tractor and heavy towed grader, plus watering and
compaction. The steps are illustrated below. The process is shown for one side
of the road. The same process can be used to heavy grade an earth road.
Part G of the LVR Manual shows how this activity it can be done by labour.
1. Scarify
2. First cut pass
3. Second cut pass
4. First spread pass
5. Second spread pass
6. Water & compact
Additional passes may be required.
Seasonal Priority: Any time
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DEFECT 13. ACTIVITY 13.
Gravel Surface too thin Gravel resurfacing
This is a high cost operation
that will require the provision of
haulage, watering and compaction
equipment. The Regional Road
Authority should be consulted
for advice. It is important to use
only good quality gravel from an
approved source.
Seasonal Priority: Any time
DEFECT 14.
ACTIVITY 14.
Paved road pothole or surface defect
Repair paved road surface
Potholes or other surface defects can occur in any paved surface.
In general, the defective paving should be replaced with similar fresh paving
materials and placed according to the Specifications. The Regional Road
Authority should be consulted for advice.
Seasonal Priority: Any time
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DEFECT 15. ACTIVITY 15.
Road sign dirty Cleaning road sign
Seasonal Priority: Any time
DEFECT 16. ACTIVITY 16.
Road sign paint defective Repainting or replace road sign
Seasonal Priority: Before the rain
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Hand Tools Productivity Guidance
Wherever possible, construction quality hand tools should be used for road Task
Maintenance Activity Unit
maintenance works. The following tools may be required for the various Range
activities. 1 Bush clearing (one side of road) m/person-day 175 - 425
1 Grass cutting (one side of road) m/person-day 175 - 425
2 Reshape shoulder (one side of road) m/person-day 65 - 100
3 Repair erosion (one side of road) m/person-day 23 - 100
3 Plant grass and water m2/person-day 100
4 Clean culvert, inlet and outlet culverts/person-day 1-4
4 Clear side and turn out ditches m/person-day 18 - 65
5 Repair erosion damage dayworks
5 Repair erosion damage; rockfill and/or wattling dayworks
6 Mortared masonry repair m/person-day 3-5
6 Dry masonry repair m/person-day 4-7
7 Gabion structure repair dayworks
8 Build stone/wooden scour checks No/person-day 5-7
9 Reshape and compact earth road camber (manual) route-m/person-day 50 - 70
9 Light reshaping earth surface (light towed grader) route-km/tractor-day up to 10
10 Spot repair, gravel material barrow/person-day 8 - 25
11 Light reshaping gravel surface (manual) route-m/person-day 70
11 Light reshaping gravel surface (light towed grader) route-km/tractor-day Up to 10
12 Manually reshape gravel road (heavy) route-m/person-day 50
Heavy Grading earth/gravel road (heavy towed
12 route-km/tractor-day up to 3*
grader)
Resource
13 Gravel resurfacing km/unit -day
dependent
Type
14 Repair paved road surface m2/person-day
dependent
Note:
*Plus watering and compaction equipment
These guideline productivity rates are derived from Low Volume Road research
in East and Southern Africa.
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When and where to obtain help
The Guide covers the commonly experienced defects and maintenance
activities. For any aspects or technical issues not included in this Guide, the
Regional Road Authority should be consulted for advice. The RRA should also
be consulted if the road deteriorates to a very poor condition, requiring major
works.
The maintenance work may be organised under a variety of arrangements; such
as by a contractor, by the wereda authority, by the community themselves, or by
religious or other groups. Guidance on overall planning and other management
aspects is covered in the ERA LVR Manual Part G.
WEREDA ROAD MAINTENANCE GUIDE