Wenchi – Dendi Lot-1 Ecotourism Road Network
Ambo, Ethiopia
Best Project
Sent by: China Communications Construction Co. Ltd.
Owner: Wenchi – Dendi Ecotourism Project Office (WDPO)
Main design company: CCCC First Highway Consultants Co. Ltd.
Design and construction contractor: China Communications Construction Co. Ltd.
Consultants: ECO and G & Y Engineering Consult Plc Joint Venture
Subcontractor: Frieda Business PLC
Since the goal of this ecotourism project connecting two lakes was to create a network of roads, 31.4 km in total, to allow visitors access to a remote and mountainous area, accessibility was a challenge . Special attention was paid to driver safety, including training aimed at driving on uneven and sloping terrain and regular inspection of the braking systems of vehicles and construction equipment.
In addition to the road network, the project team built four landscaped picnic areas around Wenchi Crater Lake, formed by a volcanic crater, and a marathon track, a nod to the competitive tradition of ‘Ethiopia.
Photo credit: Tian Zhenjia
A low supply of suitable local building materials, with only volcanic ash available for backfill, prompted the project team’s innovation. The ash was combined with the subbase material brought to the site to create a cap layer. To meet the specification requirements, “the project used a three-stage crushing process in the production of stone lamination and used different screen meshes in the vibrating screen stage to adjust the size distribution of the particles,” according to the team. Volcanic ash was added during the base compaction stage to maintain a specific pitch rate ratio.
Photo credit: Tian Zhenjia
The lack of fill material also led the team, in the design phase, to choose excavation for most sections, with the contractors implementing drainage systems and slope plantings to protect against the ‘collapse and slope erosion. Over 44 hectares of vegetation were planted throughout the excavation and fill areas.
Four viewing areas that include dining and other amenities allow visitors to enjoy the lake’s expansive surroundings.
Photo credit: Tian Zhenjia
With a foundation excavation depth of more than 6m for culvert construction, the team used a “detailed technical safety methodology” and conducted emergency drills related to the construction of deep foundation pits .
Amid additional challenges such as security issues, a long rainy season and supply cost pressures, the project managed to be completed on time and on budget.
