Engineering and management consultancy Arup, which was appointed in 2006 as the Gautrain independent certifier (IC), will soon issue the Operating Commencement Date (OCD) Certificate for the second phase of the rapid rail project to concession company Bombela.

Arup project director Ric Snowden notes that the first OCD Certificate was issued to Bombela on June 8, last year, when Bombela met its contractual obligations for the completion of phase one of the rail project. “This was a fantastic Gautrain team effort in order to open the airport service in time for the 2010 FIFA Wold Cup.”

Arup IC director Steve Fletcher says Bombela will be issued with the certificate once the IC has established that Bombela has met all the requirements for certification of the second phase, which is nearing the end of the trial run period. This critical certificate specifies the date on which the second phase can be opened to the public.

He says Arup has an integrated team of specialists from four disciplines, namely project management, cost management, railway systems, and civil and structural, who independently assess different aspects of the Gautrain project and undertake the necessary certification of the work carried out by Bombela.

The team reviews different aspects, such as the extensive civil and structural work, building services, and all the railway systems work, as well as the overall quality of the design and the construction. They also review operational, environmental and health and safety aspects.

After these key areas have been reviewed, a detailed monthly report is compiled based on the results of the different reviews. The reports indicate the milestones that have been met and the progress that has been made. Arup also highlights any issues of concern and proactively assists in the resolution of these together with Bombela and the Gauteng province’s support team.

Snowden notes that Arup has reviewed over 50 000 civil/structural documents related to the Gautrain project over the last five years, together with a substantial number of documents for the other disciplines of work. In excess of 1 000 milestones have been certified by Arup over the past 56 months in order to achieve the completion of the second phase to Midrand, Centurion, Pretoria and Hatfield, as well as Rosebank and Park stations.

Snowden’s first involvement in the project was in 2002, when Arup was approached to review the alignment that initially went aboveground through a portion of Innisfree Farm and Mushroom Farm parks, in Sandton. “These are very important green lungs in the heavily developed Sandton area.”

After investigating several alternative routes, all of which were underground rather than partially on the surface, one route that runs below Katherine avenue, on the north side of Innisfree Farm, was selected by Arup as the preferred route. This was accepted by the Gauteng province project team owing to its environmental advantages and further developed by Bombela after the company was appointed the successful bidder.

Arup believes that sustainable transport is key to building a better future. Improved public transport throughout the world is a major focus area for the firm.

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