Given the frequency of heavy vehicles on the road in question, the consultants reported that they had opted not to make use of paving as a way of surfacing the road. Construction costs per kilometre were reported to be approximately R5.5 million on a flat surface and approximately R12 million per kilometre on sloped surface. At the time of the visit, approximately R404 million had been spent on the project. The Committee was informed that of this amount, the consultant's fee was capped at 18 per cent.