Name of the Project
PRASA rail signalling system project.

Location
South Africa.

Client
Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA).

Project Description
PRASA plans to implement a new technologically advanced rail signalling system on its commuter rail network to replace the old and often unreliable system. The company reports that nearly 80% of its existing signalling installations have become obsolete and the remainder are not able to fully support modern and safe railway operations.

The project will include the modernisation of the rail signalling, communications and train management systems in high-volume corridors, such as Naledi, in Soweto, to Johannesburg; Pretoria to Johannesburg; Mabopane to Pretoria; Mamelodi to Pretoria; KwaMashu–Durban–Umlazi; Khayelitsha, Mitchells Plain and Philippi to Cape Town; Kraaifontein–Bellville–Cape Town; and from Simon’s Town to Cape Town.

The new system will enhance operational capacity, allow for better flexibility, improve safety and reduce train delays and reliance on the human factor.

Jobs to be created
Not stated.

Value
Siemens has been awarded the R1-billion contract for the Gauteng Phase 1 signalling programme and the Gauteng Phase 2 signalling programme contract valued at R3.8-billion.

The KwaZulu-Natal new signalling contract is estimated at R1.3-billion and has been awarded to Bombardier Africa Alliance.

The Thales-Maziya consortium has been awarded the R1.8-billion contract to supply a new signalling solution to the Western Cape.

Duration
The Gauteng signalling project is scheduled for completion in 2018.

The signaling contracts in KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape are expected to be completed in 2019.

Latest Developments
Overall completion of Phase 1 and 2 of the Gauteng signalling projects is at 28%.

The Midway, Lenz, Lawley, Stretford, Residensia and Grasmere stations have been commissioned.

The Gauteng Nerve Centre (GNC) is complete and will control all commuter traffic in Gauteng once the signaling contract has been completed.

The KwaZulu-Natal signalling programme is 51.1% complete. This includes detailed designs, ordering of long-lead items and the installation of first new point sets and signalling equipment.

The construction of the equipment room of Phase 1 of the KwaZulu-Natal signalling programme has been completed except for Bellair. Phases 3 to 6 are in progress.

Track work on Phase 1 is also completed.

Trenching and cable laying have been completed from Northdene to Poet Corner.

Signals have been installed at Northdene station.

Construction of bridge steps at the Effingham and Kenville bridges are under way.

The construction of the 6.6 kV transmission line has started.

The Western Cape signalling programme is 50.74% completed. This includes detailed designs, ordering of long-lead items and the installation of first new point sets and signalling equipment.

Site establishment is complete.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
Siemens South Africa (supply of rail signalling system and GNC – Gauteng); Thales-Maziya (supply of rail signalling system – Western Cape); Bombardier Africa Alliance, comprising Bombardier Transportation, ERB Technologies, Basil Read, Bakara Engineering, R&H Railway Consultants, SIMS and Tractionel (supply of rail signalling system – KwaZulu-Natal); Siemens and Hatch Goba (rail signalling testing); Huawei (digital radio communications system); Mott MacDonald PDNA (environmental-impact study); Mehleketo (roof construction) and Diesel Electric Services.

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
PRASA, Nana Zenani, tel +27 83 297 5905 or email nzenani@prasa.com.