Improving Mafraq to Al Ghweifat Highway: A Case Study

AJTGC undertook a significant highway improvement project to address traffic congestion and enhance trade routes between Mafraq and the Al Ghweifat Border Post. With a budget of AED 1.012 billion, the project aimed to widen roads and improve infrastructure by March 2017. The author played a crucial role in managing timelines, budgets, and team collaboration using advanced planning tools like Primavera and TILOS. Challenges such as budget constraints and team conflicts were addressed through effective material procurement strategies and conflict resolution meetings. Innovative techniques like eco-friendly materials and full-depth reclamation were employed to ensure sustainability and efficiency. The project was a collaborative effort involving research, client meetings, and coordination with subcontractors, ultimately resulting in successful completion and enhanced transport infrastructure.

CE 2.1 Project Information
Name of the project: Improvement of Mafraq to Al Ghweifat Border post Highway
Location of the project: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Project Duration: From August of 2014 to March of 2017
Organization: Al Jaber Transport and General Contracting
Role and Designation during the time: Planning Engineer
CE 2.2 Project Background
CE 2.2.1 Characteristics of the project
The improvement of Mafraq to Al Ghweifat Border post Highway was undertaken by Al
Jaber Transport and General Contracting Company or AJTGC, Abu Dhabi for the client
Musanada and Road traffic Authority. AJTGC is known for its efficiency and quality of
international standards. It undertakes projects for developing transport networks and roads such
as bridges and highways in the Gulf Regions. It is a well-reputed company that is known for
delivering quality projects and completion of projects within the given time. Poor transport
infrastructure was affecting the traffic of UAE and preventing international trade. This national
project had focused on widening the road to four lanes and constructing three interchanges as
well as utilities. The total budget of this project was AED 1.012 billion. AJTGC had taken four
years to successfully carry out this project.
CE 2.2.2 Objectives developed for the project
The main objectives of this project were:

 To improve the transport infrastructure for serving the economy and community
of UAE
 To facilitate international trade movement by interconnecting the cities of the
western region
 To install surveillance systems and street lighting works
CE 2.2.3 My Area of work
Al Jaber Transport and General Contracting Company had appointed me as the planning
engineer for improving the Mafraq to Al Ghweifat Border post Highway. Being the planning
engineer, my main area of work was to prepare an accurate and effective technical plan for
achieving project success. I was directly working under the supervision of the project manager
and I had to review the contract and prepare the project schedule accordingly. I was appointed to
update the project schedule and plan on a regular basis as per the requirement change and one of
my main areas of work was monitoring of critical project activities and giving appropriate advice
to the project management team. Preparing and submitting updated cash flow curves and work
programs for depicting the actual progress of project work in my area of work. I had to identify
weaknesses in the current methods and techniques and suggest appropriate methodologies for
recovery. I was designated to document the technical reports and prepare quality project reports
on a weekly and monthly basis.

CE 2.2.4 Project Group
Figure 1: People involved in the project
CE 2.2.5 My responsibilities throughout the project
Being the planning engineer, I was assigned several responsibilities to execute the project
activities as per the instruction of the project manager. I was given the task to create and update
the baseline program for the project, and monitor linear project activities by efficiently utilizing
Primavera, MS Office and AutoCAD. I was responsible for setting the work program and target
for all the phases of the project along with setting targets for the project team members.
Motivating and guiding the team members by properly communicating the instructions of the
project manager to them for ensuring project success was under my main responsibility. As I had
M.B.A in the field of project management, I was assigned the task of updating the progress of the
site work and submitting the progress report to the project manager. I had to conduct meetings
ProjectManagerPlanningEngineer(Me)Teammember1Teammember2Teammember3

with the client whenever it was required and maintain harmony among the team members and
resolve any conflict for assuring the progress of the baseline activities. I had to look after the
safety of the workers who were working in the site and had prepared plans for carrying out the
procedures safely. I had to estimate project cost and timescale, make the procurement plan and
effectively organize material transportation. Some of my main responsibilities were to prepare
bill collection plans, procurement schedules and project budget. I had to create a baseline for the
street lighting works. I was also responsible for analysing the indirect as well as direct cost
shortfalls, overruns, and preparing profitability report.
CE 2.3 Distinctive Activity
CE 2.3.1 Comprehending the Theory of the project
This project involved the construction of three interchanges. Interchanges are considered
to be grade-separated intersections that consist of ramps for connecting them. The design and
construction of interchanges depend on local conditions. There are few types of interchanges
such as directional, cloverleaf and diamond. Diamond interchanges are common in urban as well
as rural areas and they often consist of signals. Two freeways get intersected in a directional
interchange. Directional interchanges are considered to be expensive because it has more number
of ramps. The intersection of high volume freeways can be done via cloverleaf interchanges.
Loop ramps are used in cloverleaf interchanges. Improvement of the highway is needed for
serving the economy and community. This project was undertaken to facilitate international trade
movement and eliminate traffic congestion.

CE 2.3.2 Engineering Knowledge and Skills applied in the project
Being the planning engineer, I have utilized my engineering skills to present an accurate
plan for improving and constructing the Mafraq to Al Ghweifat Border post Highway. I was able
to design the blueprints for the engineering project. I have been able to cooperate and assist the
engineers from various domains and fields for designing the three interchanges and highway
utilities. I have used my knowledge of construction materials to select the appropriate materials
within the project budget. My electronics and communication engineering knowledge have been
utilized for designing and interfacing the street lighting. I was able to effectively utilize my
computer skills for using the MS tools such as Primavera, MS Office and AutoCAD. I have
utilized my excellent knowledge of construction and cost estimation for executing the project
activities.
CE 2.3.3 Accomplishment and task performed
I was successful in enhancing my concepts and skills in the field of project management
and electronics engineering while working on this project. I was able to accomplish my duties
and responsibilities throughout the project that helped in improving the Mafraq to Al Ghweifat
Border post Highway and widening the road. I had helped the project engineers and specialists in
accomplishing the assigned tasks within the given budget and time. I had negotiated
modifications in the designs and plans for helping the workers to carry out the project work
safely. I had accomplished the job of identifying and rectifying complex engineering issues. The
baseline schedule and plan prepared by me had helped in constructing upper interchanges and
improving the existing interchanges. A total improvement work of 246 km long was successfully
carried out. The detailed site programs developed by me had helped the project team to construct
new dual lanes and accomplish the project objectives.

CE 2.3.4 Identified issues and their solutions
2.3.4.1 Issues
One of the main challenges faced during the project was the completion of the project
activities within the given budget. Another issue that had taken place was conflict among the
project team members. The project team members were unable to understand the objectives of
the project that led to non-cooperation among the project team members, and this was ultimately
delaying the project activities.
2.3.4.2 Solutions
I had used Primavera for preparing an effective project budget. I had made an exceptional
material procurement plan for getting material within the budget. I had maintained a spreadsheet
for making sure that the project activities are within given budget and time. I had conducted
general meetings and group discussions for resolving the conflict among the project team
members. I had prepared PowerPoint presentations for explaining the objectives of the project to
the team members. I had encouraged the team members to work in a cooperative manner for
achieving project success and eliminating project delay.
CE 2.3.5 Plan to produce creative and innovative work
There was disruption of electric cables, and this was resolved by rerouting. Eco-friendly
ingredients were used for improving and widening the roads. Computer modelling was used for
designing the civil structures such as the interchanges. Full-depth reclamation was used for
repairing and improving the road. In this technique, asphalt was mixed with gravel. Innovative
ideas had played a significant role in the project.

CE 2.3.6 Collaborative work
I had carried out a research study for getting an insight into the requirements of the
project. After completing the research work, I had helped my team members to understand the
project. The project manager had properly guided me to successfully carry out my work.
Teamwork and team effort had played a major role in the completion of the project.
CE 2.4 Project Review
CE 2.4.1 Project overview
AJTGC had undertaken the responsibility to improve the Mafraq to Al Ghweifat Border
post Highway for eliminating the congestion of traffic and reducing the travel time. The main
purpose of this project was to facilitate international trade. The transport infrastructure was
improved with a budget of AED 1.012 billion in March of 2017.
CE 2.4.2 My contribution to work
I had made numerous contributions towards this project work. I had implemented the
time-location planning or TILOS for the representation of flow of the project. I had also created
EOT claims by using Impact-As-Planned and Time-Impact analysis. I had also created the
budget plan forecast with the commercial team. I was successful in creating a baseline for the
street lighting works and arranging for testing of the works before it was handed over. I managed
to conduct several meetings with the clients, technical team and subcontractor for finalizing the
materials, equipment and street lighting components for the project. I coordinated with the
construction manager for ensuring progress of the project activities. I had also implemented
control systems by using recovery, action plans and fast tracking. The technical document that

was written by me had impressed the project manager. I had outlined the work programs and
reviewed the technical details for determining its accuracy, feasibility and adequacy.