The DA-led Kouga municipality is pioneering a new approach to building roads which could end potholes, create jobs and help save the planet.
In a joint effort with Scottish company, McRebur, and South African civil engineering experts, the DA-led municipality will build the first “plastic road” in Africa. A one kilometer stretch of Woltemade and Koraal Streets in Jefferies Bay has been chosen to trial the project.
Executive Mayor Horatio Hendricks said the backlog in road repairs in the region is estimated to be more than R500 million, and whilst the municipality is in a financially strong position, the backlog is simply too large to deal with decisively. It Is for this reason that the municipality has been looking for innovative ways to “slay the giant” he said.
The roads will be made of an enhanced asphalt mix that is traditionally used for the top layer of roads. Non-recyclable plastic waste, which usually ends up in the ocean or clogging landfill sites, will be processed into pellets and used to replace a large component of bitumen in a conventional asphalt mix. It is estimated that the equivalent of 1.8 million plastic bags can be used in just one kilometer of road. The result will be a road that is stronger and more durable.
Mayor Hendricks stated that should the trial be successful the municipality would like to see a factory being established in Kouga to produce the pellets locally. “In this way it will be a triple win for our people – better roads, less pollution and more job opportunities,” he said.
Executive Mayor Horatio Hendricks at the launch of the first plastic road on the Continent
