Name and Location
Gauteng/Gautrain rail extension project, Gauteng, South Africa.

Client
Gauteng Roads and Transport Department.

Project Description
The project will include a link from the existing Gautrain Park station to Westgate; a link from the existing Gautrain Rhodesfield station to Boksburg; a link from the existing Gautrain Sandton station to Randburg and Honeydew; and a link from Naledi, in Soweto, to Mamelodi, in Tshwane, through either the proposed Gautrain Samrand station, or the existing Gautrain Midrand station.

Ultimately, the plan is to have four rail lines – built by either the Gautrain Management Agency (GMA), the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa or another rail operator – adding to the Pretoria–Johannesburg and Sandton–OR Tambo International Airport links.

The expansion could result in 200 km of new railway line and eight new stations being built.

The possible rail extensions to the Gautrain network follow from the Gauteng 25-Year Integrated Transport Master Plan (ITMP25), which provides a long-term plan that will ensure integration of transport with spatial patterns between various transport modes to transport people efficiently.

Value
Not stated.

Duration
Not stated.

Latest Developments
The Gauteng government will make an announcement on the possible expansion of the province’s rapid rail system by the end of June, Gautrain Management Agency CEO Jack van der Merwe has said.

Speaking to Engineering News Online on the sidelines of the Transport Forum conference in Johannesburg on May 12, he noted that the feasibility study, which was investigating the viability of expanding the Gautrain network, was “in the process of wrapping up”.

The study is considering the addition of 16 to 17 stations and 180 km of rail network, and whether it can be divided into three or four phases.

Van der Merwe has said any expansion of the system will probably feature new operators and rolling stock.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
SMEC Consortium, comprising SMEC South Africa, DLA Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr and Deloitte (feasibility study).

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Gauteng Roads and Transport Department, tel +27 11 355 7000 or email GPRoads.Transport@gauteng.gov.za.
SMEC South Africa, tel +27 11 369 0600, fax +27 011 886 4589 or email johannesburg@smec.com.
DLA Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr, tel +27 11 562 1000 or fax +27 11 562 1111