Rural roads systems project

Evaluation, which contains two PES facesheets, covers the period 7/80-9/81 and is based on joint discussions between the Ministry of Works and USAID/K, document review, and site visits. Graveling, bridging, and culverting (GBC) activities under both projects and rural access roads (RAR) activities under Project 0168 are reported. As of 10/30/81, GBC activities had been completed for 387 of a planned 3,300 km of minor roads. Average construction rate has been 9.4 km per unit-month, well below the planned target of 30-35 km. An outside evaluation determined that roads were being fully rehabilitated rather than having "spot improvements" made, an unnecessary situation which the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MOTC) rectified in 7/81. Since then, construction has increased to 16 km per unit-month. A maintenance plan for all minor roads in the Western Province has been developed. USAID/K will continue to urge the MOTC to develop a comprehensive maintenance plan for all minor roads. RAR work is on target, with earthworks construction at 45 km per unit-month. The rate of gravelling is below the planned 35 km per unit-month. The situation will be reviewed 3/82. All gravelling is expected to be finished by the project"s 2/84 completion date. Pilot maintenance programs have been implemented in two districts; donors have requested that the program be expanded to five RAR districts by 3/82 and to all RAR districts by 10/82. Donors have also asked the MOTC for an estimate of resource needs for road maintenance to help them decide their level of support for RAR network expansion. RAR user beneficiary data are becoming available from impact studies; data for GBC activities are still in the developmental stage. Action decisions for Project 0168 are to review the Fixed Amount Reimbursement and determine whether USAID/K should finance additional lengths of RAR. Action decisions for Project 0170 are to revise the implementation plan for GBC activities depending on the rate of construction; and implement technical assistance staffing pattern changes. Completion of road maintenance plans is recommended for both projects.