The Bombela Concession Company, responsible for building the R25,4-billion Gautrain rapid-rail link, has proposed a new, less expensive plan to enable the commissioning of a modified phase-one rail service between the OR Tambo International Airport and Sandton, in time for the opening ceremony of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

“The modified scope for phase one represents an alternative and more affordable solution to the challenge,” said Bombela CEO Jerome Govender on Tuesday.

He did not want to divulge the new price tag involved under this proposal, although indications are that there will be no additional costs to the existing bill.

Govender did note that the "modified scope will mostly be back-office related requirements and the originally envisaged passenger experience will be maintained. System and passenger safety and security will not be compromised and the requirements of the Railway Safety Regulator will still be met".

There would be no changes to the phase one route under the amended proposal.

Gauteng premier Nomvula Mokonyane had earlier this month announced that government funding constraints prevented the accelerated completion of the full phase one of the Gautrain project – at a cost of R1,3-billion – by May 27, 2010, in time for kick-off in June.

The rail project's phase one was never contractually scheduled to be completed until the end of June 2010, with the World Cup kick-off to take place on June 11.

The Gauteng government had stated repeatedly over the last year – as the phase one completion debate had intensified – that the rapid-rail link had never been a 2010 project, however, also expressing an explicit desire for the public transport project to be completed in time for the World Cup.

The Gautrain project had been announced in January 2000, and South Africa awarded the World Cup in April 2004.

The Gauteng government and Bombela had for long been locked in negotiations to ascertain whether it would be feasible and affordable to complete the first phase of the project in time for the global sports event.

Bombela's new proposal was still subject to approval by the Gauteng government.

"The in-principle proposal was put forward to the Gauteng Provincial Government this week," said Govender. "We look forward to a process of engagement. We would like a decision as soon as possible."

The Gauteng government's Gautrain Management Agency (GMA) spokesperson Dr Barbara Jensen said it was still sifting through the proposal from Bombela.

THE LAND ISSUE

Govender noted that the newly-modified scope of phase one recognised “the exceptional performance of the Bombela infrastructure, systems and operations subcontractors in mitigating the significant delays to date occasioned through land acquisition and delivery and numerous project variation instructions.

“The cost and time consequences associated with land acquisition and delivery are currently being processed through the dispute resolution provisions of the contract.”

Govender's comments came as a delayed October 2010 was earlier this month placed on the table as the new completion date for phase one, owing to disputes revolving around land availability, between Bombela and the Gauteng government.

At the time, he had said that this was “a consequence of the project having experienced delays and disruption due primarily to delayed land procurement and handover by Gauteng province”.

According to the Gautrain contract, government was to supply the land for the rail link.

GMA CEO Jack van der Merwe had indicated to Engineering News in early November that there had been around 20 variations on the work Bombela had to do – some of them related to slight route deviations, for example – since the signing of the contract and the start of construction in 2006.

“We have disputes remaining around 10% of these variations, having resolved 90% of the cases,” he  had noted. “The contract dictates the process to resolve these disputes and we follow these procedures. It is highly likely that we will turn to arbitration to resolve the remaining claims.”

Bombela is a partnership between Murray & Roberts and Strategic Partners Group from South Africa, Bombardier of Canada and Bouygues of France. Each of the partners has different levels of participation in the various aspects of the project. Minority shareholders in Bombela are the J&J Group and Absa Bank.

The full Gautrain project, linking Tshwane, Johannesburg and the OR Tambo International Airport, is scheduled for completion in 2011.

To subscribe to Engineering News's print magazine email subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za or buy now.