Our Portfolio
Umso Construction’s Infrastructure Project Highlights Across South Africa
KwaZulu-Natal
Ladysmith Regional Road Upgrades
The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport is currently undertaking a significant road infrastructure upgrade project in the Ladysmith region. The project covers a total distance of 18 km and includes the upgrading of Main Road P361 from Sigweje to Jobskop, District Road D871 from Vaalkoop to Vergelegen, and Road D1290 from Vaalkop to Soms Hoek.
Situated in a historically underserved area, the project aims not only to improve road access but also to promote local socio-economic development. Community engagement is prioritized through liaison committees, community representatives, and public forums. The initiative forms part of the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), which facilitates temporary job opportunities using labour-intensive construction methods.
The scope of work includes extensive earthworks, layer works, surfacing, and drainage, with a requirement that at least 30% of the work be subcontracted to emerging local contractors. All work complies with COTO standards, and design approvals are strictly enforced before execution.
Gauteng
Mamelodi Rail Bridge & Road Rehabilitation Project
In Mamelodi, the Department of Transport commissioned the construction of three road-over-rail bridges and comprehensive road rehabilitation works. This included embankment construction, a 10.4m wide carriageway with dual 3.7m lanes and a 3.0m shoulder, and multiple road layers built to AASHTO standards.
The project involved the installation of stormwater drainage systems, kerbing, paved walkways, subsurface drainage, and a 40mm asphalt overlay. It also required general patching, base repairs, construction of new shoulders, replacement of culverts, and rehabilitation of all road markings and signage. Additional work included the construction of new drainage structures, traffic lights, street lighting, and infrastructure for an overhead electrical traction cable.
Eastern Cape
Mount Ayliff Water Treatment Works Upgrade
The Alfred Nzo District Municipality, in collaboration with the Department of Water Affairs, spearheaded the upgrade of the Mount Ayliff Water Treatment Works (WTW) as part of efforts to address the water and sanitation backlog in the region. The upgraded WTW was designed to deliver a capacity of 6ML/day, replacing the existing under-capacity system.
The project included the construction of raw water abstraction points from both the Ntsizwa Mountains and the Mzintlava River, installation of high-lift pumps, chemical dosing plants, filtration and sedimentation systems, sludge handling facilities, and a full suite of building infrastructure including laboratories, staff accommodation, and control rooms.
This Design-Build-Operate contract involved extensive collaboration between civil, mechanical, and electrical teams to ensure integration across all components of the water supply chain, including reservoir distribution and power upgrades from 25kVA to 1MVA.
North West
Rustenburg Rapid Transport
The Rustenburg Local Municipality implemented the Rustenburg Rapid Transport (RRT) system to modernize public transport infrastructure in the region. The project covered approximately 34 km of road upgrades and was divided into five construction schedules.
Key works included the construction of dedicated bus lanes, mixed-traffic lanes with surfaced shoulders, a 1.5m-wide median, pedestrian and bicycle lanes, and foundations for 8 bus stations. Additionally, 10 intersections were upgraded, new traffic circles constructed, and multiple bridges widened, including the extension of Bridge 6 through two 15m spans.
Relocation of major services, including a 500mm water pipeline and telecommunications infrastructure, formed an essential part of the scope. Private utility lines from nearby mines such as Anglo Platinum and Impala Platinum were also protected or relocated accordingly.
Gauteng
Kusile–Lulamisa 400kV Transmission Line
Eskom executed the construction of a 40 km section (Section B) of the Kusile–Lulamisa 400kV transmission line, connecting Apollo Substation in Centurion to Lulamisa Substation in Fourways. This formed part of the Kusile Power Station Integration Scheme aimed at strengthening electricity supply in the northern parts of Johannesburg.
The works included line surveying, tower foundation construction, terracing, bush clearing, and the erection of structural steel towers. Stringing of conductors and installation of hardware, insulators, and fall arrest systems were carried out under strict environmental rehabilitation and safety requirements.
The contract also involved the demolition or relocation of existing infrastructure, and the construction of access roads and underpasses to support construction logistics and future maintenance.
Western Cape
Juno–Gromis 400kV Transmission Line
As part of the Namaqualand Strengthening Scheme, a 282 km 400kV transmission line was constructed to improve power distribution between Gromis Substation near Kleinsee and Juno Substation near Vredendal. This line was divided into three main sections, with Section C covering Tower 391 to the Juno Substation.
The scope included the creation and rehabilitation of access roads, installation of gates for servitude access, bush clearing, tower surveying, excavation and installation of tower foundations, earthing systems, and the erection of galvanised steel lattice towers. Phase conductors and jumpers were strung and regulated as per specification.
Environmental compliance, including vegetation restoration and road rehabilitation, was critical to the execution of the works, given the sensitive environmental footprint in the Namaqualand region.