Exemption of Phase 1 Heritage Impact Assessment for repairs along national route 6 (N6) between Rouxville and Aliwal North, Free State Province*.
Site: Section of N6 national road between Rouxville (30°25'4.31"S 26°49'58.12"E) and Aliwal North (30°41'59.29"S 26°42'52.30"E) Map Reference: 1: 50 000 scale topographic maps 3026 BD Rouxville, 3026 DB Bosberg and 3026DA Aliwal North (Fig 1). Approximate Start & End Point Coordinates: 1) Start Rouxville 30°25'17.03"S 26°49'52.16"E 2) End Aliwal North 30°41'5.38"S 26°42'17.22"E SANRAL is planning to rehabilitate a section of National Route 6 (N6) between Rouxville and Aliwal North. The proposed development calls for renovation of approximately 40 km of the existing road profile (Fig. 2). Renovations will be restricted to the existing road servitude. The section starts outside Rouxville town and terminates near the Orange River crossing at Aliwal North. The affected road section is for the most part flanked by farmland that is currently used for pasture and/or crop production. The servitudes on both sides of the road along this section are generally covered by grassland. These areas are not pristine anymore and are generally disturbed as a result of previous road-building activities (Fig 3). This also includes the areas where existing culverts are located Activities will primarily impact on the existing servitude where remnants of previously imported road-building material are mixed with superficial deposits (residual soils).
Bedrock geology along the proposed route is characterized by Tarkastad Subgroup strata and rarely overlying Molteno Formation sediments (Karoo Supergroup) as well as Jurassic-age dolerite intrusions. Geologically recent sediments (residual deposits) are made up of Quaternary-aged, light brown to red calcareous soils of varying depth. The likelihood of palaeontological and archaeological impact as a result of the proposed road repairs is considered to be extremely low. It is recommended that the proposed road repairs are exempted from a Phase 1 Palaeontological and Archaeological Impact Assessment.
*Report prepared for EKO Environmental, 21 Dromedaris Street, Dan Pienaar, Bloemfontein 9301 by Paleo Field Services, PO Box 38806, Langenhovenpark 9330.
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