Abstract:
Most of the roads in developing countries serve low volumes of traffic. Unlike most such roads in the United States, they are usually the result of detailed economic study to identify their technical and economic feasibility. Construction mobilization costs are high; therefore, construction projects are long and initial construction is to relatively high standards because staged construction would involve multiple mobilizations. To illustrate the basic procedures followed and the consideration that went into the planning and design for road construction in developing countries, a brief description is given of the Chikwawa-Bangula road project in Malawi. Mention is also made of the Thabwa-Nsanje and the Lilongwe-Zambia roads in Malawi. The 52-mile (84-km) Chikwaea-Bangula project will serve a major agricultural development project, which is being assisted by a credit from the International Development Association. Road construction is partially financed by a loan from the U.S. Agency for International Development. Design, preparation of contract documents, advertising, and receipt of bids were accomplished in 1 year, and the contract was awarded 6 weeks after bids were received. Research applicable to developing countries is being undertaken by the U.S. Agency for International Development and by other countries including Great Britain and France. Research results from one study were applied to pavement design for the 74-mile (119-km) Lilongwe- Zambia road project.
Supplemental Notes:
Proceedings of a work shop held June 16-19, 1975, in Boise, Idaho by the Transportation Research Board.
