Saaka Road and Bridge
Pallisa District, Uganda
Merit Award, Road/Highway
Presented by The Arab Contractors (Osman Ahmed Osman & Co.)
Owner: Ministry of Works and Transport
Main design company: Ministry of Works and Transport Internal team
Contractor: The Arab Contractors (Osman Ahmed Osman & Co.)
Structural Engineer: Cornerstone design and engineering
Located at the intersection of Pallisa and Kaliro districts in eastern Uganda, this project represents an important step for regional connectivity and socio-economic development, according to the project presentation. Before the construction of the 60 meter bridge and 0.5 km approach roads, residents relied on a system of canoes to cross the Mpologoma River and the Saaka Swamp.
In the design phase, the weak subsoil and fluctuating water level of the marsh required rapid geotechnical investigations, the project team notes. In order to optimize structural safety and resource efficiency, team members decided to use deep pile foundations, dynamically calibrating them to suit the hydrological conditions of each section of the marsh.
The team also used modular construction methods to minimize activities in waterlogged areas, according to the authors. Key elements of the superstructure were prefabricated on site and assembled in sequence, speeding project progress and reducing worker safety and structural accuracy risks.
Despite the challenging conditions, the international team working on this project delivered it on budget and 11 months ahead of schedule, with a zero lost time injury rate.
