Monthly Progress Report No. 03

13-00012, is a USAID-funded infrastructure development project in the West Bank/Gaza region. The project is implemented by APCO/ArCon Construction and Services, with Black and Veatch serving as the Engineer/CMC. The project consists of three main components: Project 01, which involves the construction of a 4.45 km 2-lane regional road connecting Dura to Hebron and surrounding localities; Project 02, which involves the construction of a 4.12 km 2-lane main road connecting Samu' and Yatta communities; and Project 03, which involves the milling and overlay of approximately 2.8 km of Bethlehem internal roads. As of January 31, 2014, the project has achieved a total actual percentage of completion of 4.4% for Project 01, 6.5% for Project 02, and 32.9% for Project 03. The planned percentage of completion for each project is 5.8%, 6.7%, and 24.5%, respectively. Safety is a top priority for the project, with a comprehensive health and safety program plan developed and submitted to the CMC. APCO/ArCon conducted 30-hour OSHA safety training for all safety officers and conducted three safety toolbox talks with subcontractors' staff and labors at each project site. Environmental compliance is also a key aspect of the project, with an environmental mitigation plan submitted to the CMC and approved on January 2, 2014. Traffic control measures have been implemented and inspected by the CMC, with detailed traffic control plans approved and stamped by the Traffic Higher Council at the Palestinian Ministry of Transport. Community outreach and public information are also important components of the project, with coordination meetings conducted with local councils and utility owners during this reporting period. The project has also implemented community outreach and public information activities, including the distribution of brochures and posters to local residents and businesses. The project has made significant progress in terms of community outreach and public information, with a total of 30 community outreach and public information activities conducted during the reporting period. The project has also implemented a number of gender consideration activities, including the participation of women in project meetings and the provision of training and capacity-building programs for women. In terms of procurement, the project has made significant progress, with a total of 15 procurement activities conducted during the reporting period. The project has also implemented a number of quality control and test results activities, including the testing of materials and equipment and the inspection of construction works. The project has also made significant progress in terms of payments, with a total of 10 payment activities conducted during the reporting period. The project has also implemented a number of variation order requests, including the submission of variation orders to the CMC and the approval of variation orders by the CMC. Overall, the MRSII project has made significant progress in terms of safety, environmental compliance, traffic control measures, community outreach and public information, and procurement. The project continues to be on track to meet its planned completion date of October 31, 2014.