Monthly Progress Report: Ramallah-Rafat (Southern Entrance) Road

The project aims to improve road infrastructure by rehabilitating and improving sections of a main urban/rural road at the southern entrance to the City of Ramallah. The project serves sixteen local communities beyond Rafat village in addition to all diplomatic cars passing through Al Jeb Checkpoint located near Rafat village. The project involves the reconstruction of 1.7 km of the Ramallah-Rafat southern entrance, including the construction of a two-lane road with shoulders and sidewalks, drainage system upgrades, retaining structures, and required roadway accessories. Additionally, 0.5 km of four-lane divided road with sidewalks and landscaping in Ramallah will be milled and overlaid. The project is being implemented by Saqqa and Khoudary Co. Ltd. (SAK) as the contractor, with Black and Veatch (BV) serving as the Construction Management Contractor (CMC). The project has made significant progress since its start on December 1, 2015. As of December 31, 2015, the contract elapsed time was 42.00%, with a planned percentage of completion of 6.9% and an actual percentage of completion of 5.5%. The current percentage of completion was also 5.5%, with a float of 21 days. The project is expected to be completed on April 25, 2016. Safety is a top priority for the project, with Saqqa and Khoudary Company implementing a comprehensive safety plan to achieve the goal of "Zero Losses." The safety plan includes regular job site safety inspections, enforcement of safety gear and equipment use, and ongoing safety training for staff. The company has also qualified a safety and environmental officer to oversee the implementation of safety measures. The project has also made significant progress in terms of community outreach and engagement. The contractor has conducted regular meetings with local stakeholders to discuss the project's progress and address any concerns. Additionally, the project has implemented measures to mitigate the impact of construction on the local community, including the provision of alternative routes and the implementation of noise reduction measures. The project's key personnel include Wael Al Ashy as the Task Order Manager, Suheir Suleibi as the Quality Control Manager, Majd Masha'leh as the Safety and Environmental Compliance Officer, Ameer Awad as the Project Engineer, and Yousef Abu Al Reesh as the Surveyor. The project's progress is being closely monitored by the USAID West Bank and Gaza, Local Construction Program (LCP) team, which is responsible for ensuring that the project is implemented in accordance with the contract requirements and USAID's policies and procedures. The project's success will have a significant impact on the local community, improving access to basic infrastructure and services and contributing to the overall development of the West Bank region.