Construction sites offer different challenges when it comes to accessibility. This is due to the fact that there is a massive movement of men (work), as well as carriers of material. These range from pickup trucks to trailers. Depending on the items being moved, the weight is different and as such the capacity of the route to and from the site must meet these requirements. There will also be visitors in light personal vehicles, especially consultants and potential property buyers in the case of commercial projects or potential tenants in the case of residential or rental spaces. The access available or provided should satisfy these requirements to the extent possible. The different conditions of the site include;
Virgin Sites: This refers to a new site where no other construction activity has taken place before. This means that there is no access to the specific build point. Where such a route may be available, it may not be sufficient and may need improvement. This may include work such as felling trees, cutting high sections and filling in low ones, pouring murram or other suitable material. It will also include compaction, wetting and curing of the dumped material. Being a new route and sometimes temporary, it will need maintenance. When such access must pass through other people’s property, the appropriate permissions must be sought. Local authorities should also be notified and provided with plans as ways to warn of problems such as ecological disturbances. Generally, it is advisable that the construction access route also be the permanent access to the permanent route to access the completed facility.
· Existing sites: These are sites that have already been built previously. They may have existing access. The only hurdle would be when that access is still in use by others as it will create an inconvenience and delivery usage could be throttled only for periods of low demand. There might also be a need to provide alternative routes for existing users. A good example here is road maintenance or improvement works, whereby detours are created and maintained in good condition during the construction period. Appropriate arrangements must be made to minimize inconvenience and prevent accidents.
· Narrow Sites – These are unique sites in that they have minimal room for maneuverability. Here are examples in urban centers or institutions. The regulation here is very strict and as such strict measures must be put in place to follow such regulations. These sites are very difficult to manage when it comes to accessibility. An example is when the concrete is to be delivered to the site already mixed (in ready-mix trucks). This introduces the synchronization headache and avoids inconvenience to other users.
The provision of access to the sites must be a well thought out activity. Maintenance should be a top priority. The design of said access roads must also contemplate the traffic foreseen for said project. Road markings and other similar furnishings must also be provided and maintained in good repair.
