Module code: CIVE3001Y(5)

Module title: Civil Engineering Management

MINI-PROJECT title
The importance of a feasibility study in a
construction project - A Case Study

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

AIM
To present a case study on the importance of a
feasibility study in a construction project
OBJECTIVES
1. To obtain an official feasibility study pertaining to a
construction project
2. To perform a case study on the importance of a
feasibility study in relation to the above
3. To present the case study

FEASIBILITY STUDY
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
Assessment of the viability and practicality
of a proposed project
A feasibility study attempts to
impartially and logically determine the
strengths and weaknesses of an
existing business or more commonly a
proposed venture, opportunities and
inconveniences present in the
environment, the resources required to

Reference
document
http://www.eib.org/attachments/pipeline/20110361
_esia_en.pdf

Identification and description

of area concerned as per the
feasibility study

Investment in the transport sector tends to

Reduce transport costs

Project
justification

Lower market prices

A spatial extension of the market
Higher mobility
Thereby improving access to economic opportunities
Moreover road works imply the creation of
employment contributing to a reduction of poverty

However,
This
due
lead
to
to
increasing
the
formulation
traffic
of
volume
this
By-Pass
and
expected
The government of Uganda AND its international
The Northern
Corridor
Route
is extremely
economic
project
growth
with
it
becomes
a
survey
necessary
positively
to provide a
development partners therefore invested substantially
important
for
both
Uganda
andofits
diversion
acknowledging
for
heavy
and
public
long
distance
support
(73%
traffic
to avoid
to its upkeep and improvement
neighbours
traffic
sample)
jams

ALTERNATE
Feasibility studies allows considering different options in order to chose the best
PROPOSAL
one.

The factors that affect the choice are:

Engineering aspect of the project
The structure and management of the project
The funds required to realize this projects
Cultural and social aspects considered
The safety factors related to project
Profitability Analysis
Environment aspects

ALTERNATE PROPOSAL OF THE CASE

The Analysis of the alternatives was based on:
STUDY
Traffic volume considerations
Economic Growth Projects and Assumptions
Potential shifts a way from NVT
Economic Considerations

Zero

option

Northern
Alternative
option
Northern
Short option

Southern

option

Southern
long option

BEST
The short alignment option North was chosen as the best option compared to the
other three option based onPROPOSAL
the following advantages:
The construction cost was lower of all the four option
It was the shortest route
Based on its path line, it was the route that requires the least land take
Present minimal negative social and environmental impacts
It is the route whereby least demolition of building is required (if any)
Route where gentlest vertical alignment can be designed
The only major drainage structure is the bridge across Ruizi River
And it also has the potential serving traffic to and from kasese.

PROJECT AREA
DESCRIPTION

Biophysical Conditions
Project Area
Setting
Details about
the land area
altogether
with the
population
density

Water Quality
Geology

Climate

Geological
outline of
the land
e.g. types
of rocks
present

e.g.
amount
of rainfall
and their
duration

Pollution level
is studied as
well as the
effects of the
construction
work on the
water quality

PROJECT AREA
DESCRIPTION

Socio- economic setting

Economic activities

The surrounding is composed of semi-urban and rural peasantry with

livestock and crop farming which is one of the major income of the
inhabitants.
Poverty and food Security
- 52.8% of the households experienced food shortage
- Causes of poverty are : inadequate poverty, land shortage, poor farming
methods or gender inequality amongst others.

PROJECT AREA
DESCRIPTION
Vegetation characteristics
Physical settings in the
selected regions was
documented from both
literature review and field
surveys

ROAD PROJECT DESIGN PROCESS

ACTIVITIES

The project entails the following activities during its specific

phrases. These include:
A. Alignment Test pit field Investigations- thicknesses of topsoil
is known as well as the visual description carried out. Samples
are collected for further properties.
B. Borings at Rwizi river Crossings- one should be carried out at
one of the bridge abutment.
C. Dynamic Cone Penetrometer testing calculate the CBR
strength
D. Materials Field Investigations Identification of possible
borrow and quarry areas

ROAD PROJECT DESIGN PROCESS

ACTIVITIES

E. Construction Based Activities these activities include

- Clearing of vegetation along horizontal alignment
- Cut and fill to change vertical alignment
-Construction of bridge

- Transportation of soil and other construction materials, amongst

others.
F.

Facilities, Materials, equipment and Installations

G. Schedule of works
H. Project cost estimate

THE ESIA STUDY

Rationale and Purpose of the ESIA
Management and sustainability of
environmental and natural resources
Evaluation of economic factors
2. Methodology for preparation of the ESIA
Scoping
Literature Review
1.

THE ESIA STUDY (Contd)

Household Socio-Economic Survey and
Participatory stakeholders Meetings
Ecological investigations
Water Quality Analysis
Ecological Evaluations
Value of Standing Stock
Discounted value of current and future
standing stock

THE ESIA STUDY (Contd)

Value of carbon sequestration potential
Value of biodiversity
Value of Land Take
Value of unique environmental services
Incremental Management Costs
Total Economic Implications
Physical-cultural resources

PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS
1. Overview of the Public Consultation
Process
Highlights of the proceedings of
Stakeholders and Community
Consultative Meetings
Community Meetings and Household
Interviews

PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS
(Contd)
2. Emerging issues arising from Public
Consultations
Specific concerns for various categories
of stakeholders
3. Public Disclosure and Public Hearing
4. Public Hearings

POLICY, LEGAL and

INSTITUTIONAL
FRAMEWORK
1. Policy Framework
The National Transport Master Plan
The National Environment Management
Policy, 1994
The National Water Policy, 1999
Ugandas Vision 2025
The National Gender Policy, 1997
The National HIV/AIDS Policy, 2004

POLICY, LEGAL and

INSTITUTIONAL
Sectoral FRAMEWORK
Policy statements and

Guidelines for Mainstreaming CrossCutting Concerns

ESIA Guidelines for Road Sub-Sector,
2008
MoWT General Specifications for Road
and Bridge Works, 2005
MoWT Sub-Sector Policy Statements

POLICY, LEGAL and

INSTITUTIONAL
FRAMEWORK
2. Legal Framework
National Legal Framework
The Constitution of the Republic of
Uganda, 1995
The National Environmental Act Cap
153
The Water Act, Cap 152
The Land Act, 1998

POLICY, LEGAL and

INSTITUTIONAL
FRAMEWORK

The Workmans Compensation act,

2000
The Mining Act of 2003
The Occupational Safety and Health
Act (2006)
The Employment Act, 2006
The Petroleum Supply Act, 2003

POLICY, LEGAL and

INSTITUTIONAL
FRAMEWORK
Environmental Impact Assessment
Regulations, 1998
The National Environment Regulations, 2000
National Environment Regulations, 1999
3. Institutional Framework
National Institutional Framework
The National Environment Management
Authority

POLICY, LEGAL and

INSTITUTIONAL
FRAMEWORK

National Forest Authority

Local Governments
Local Environmental Committees
Road Committees
4. Institutional Coordination

POTENTIAL
IMPACTS AND
MITIGATION
MEASURES

 It is important to assess the environmental and

social impacts during and after the construction
phase of the project.
The mitigation measures suggested can then be
taken into account during the planning and
design stage.

Classification of Impacts
Can be classified as indirect or direct.
Direct impact are effects that arises from activities that
form an integral part of the project
Indirect impact are effects that arises from activities not
directly and clearly forming part of the project. For
example; noise changes due to an increase road traffic
flows on existing roads resulting from construction.

Positive Impacts
Reduction in accidents and congestion in Town
Centre of Mbarara.
Potential development in the around the proposed
road.
Reduction in noise level in Town Centre.

Negative Impacts and Mitigation Measures.

IMPACTS

Nature of
Impact

Duration

MITIGATION
MEASURES

Uptake of land

Direct

Medium term

Sensitization and
awareness
programs

Storm water
concerns

Direct

Long term

Installation of
Culverts

Soil erosion

Direct

Medium term

Bank protection,
slope stabilization

Noise pollution

Direct

Long term

Daytime
construction near
residential areas

Negative Impacts and Mitigation Measures.

IMPACTS

Nature of
Impact

Duration

MITIGATION MEASURES

Air pollution

Direct

Long term

Sprinkling water on dust

surfaces, mask for workers

Waste
management

Direct

Medium term

Clear plan for management

of project waste, Routine
cleaning of camp site and
associated facilities

Degradation of
water quality

Direct

Long term

Appoint Contractors
environmentalist

Loss of banana
crop

Direct

Long term

Compensation of farmers

Environmental Management
and Monitoring Planning
The objectives of the monitoring programme are to:
Verify the adoption of the proposed mitigation and
benefit enhancement measures and their
effectiveness in practice.
Identify any unforeseen impacts during the
preparation of the ESIA.
Formulate appropriate additional impact control
measures.
Improve the planning and execution of future and

Environmental Management and Monitoring

Planning
There are 2 phases for the project monitoring of a
project:
Pre-construction Phase Monitoring
Construction Phase Monitoring

Environmental Management and Monitoring

Planning
Pre-construction Phase Monitoring
Confirmation of the inclusion of the appropriate
environmental protection clauses in the contract
documents to allow control of actions by the
Contractor which are potentially damaging to the
environment
Reduction of negative impacts and enhancement of
beneficial impacts with respect to the appropriate
measures incorporated in the project designs and
specifications

Environmental Management and Monitoring

Planning
Construction Phase Monitoring
Review of the Contractors plans, method
statements, temporary works designs, and
arrangements relating to obtaining necessary
approvals from the Engineer
Systematic observation on a day-to-day basis of all
site activities and the Contractors offsite facilities.

Environmental Management and Monitoring

Planning
Environmental Monitoring Indicators
The monitoring program is to be based on ESMPs and
NEMA Approval conditions for the project as well as on the
Specifications for Roads that relate to Environment,
Occupational, Health and Safety, Gender and HIV/AIDS and
other cross cutting issues.
Major Costs related to environmental enhancement
measures that require physical construction works have
been estimated and included in the engineering designs
and tender documents.

Institutional and capacity building arrangements

National Environment Management Authority (NEMA)

District Engineers and Regional Engineers
Design Engineer
Contractor
Uganda National Road Authority (UNRA) Environmental
Unit
Road Committees

RECOMMENDATIONS

 Contractor should comply with legal

obligations and use National Environmental
standards for emission limits.
All parties who loss their property should be
fairly compensated.
Leased lands used for temporary works should
be returned to rightful owner

CONCLUSION

Conclusion
In this report, the strengths and weaknesses of the
proposed project have been assessed.
This includes the alternative options, economic
implications, area description, resources required, cost
estimate of the project and environment impacts.
With these information, it can be decided whether it is
practical to go forward with the project.
So, it can be concluded that feasibility study is very
important. Actions can be taken to overcome weaknesses
and ensure project to be successful.

Reference
UNRA. (May 2010). Feasibility Study, Detailed
Design and Supervision of the Construction of the
Northern Corridor Route, Mbarara By-Pass.
(ONLINE).
http://www.eib.org/attachments/pipeline/20110361_e
sia_en.pdf