Name and Location
Gautrain extension project, Gauteng, South Africa.
Client
Gauteng Management Agency (GMA).
Project Description
The extension of the Gautrain 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, through either the proposed Gautrain Samrand station, or the existing Gautrain Midrand station.
This extension will include stations at Blue Hills, Sunninghill, Fourways, Cosmo City and Ruimsig. Ultimately, the plan is to have four Gautrain lines, adding to the Pretoria–Johannesburg and Sandton–OR Tambo International Airport links.
Value
Not stated.
Duration
Not stated.
Latest Developments
A consortium of transaction advisers has been appointed to conduct the feasibility study (FS) for the proposed extensions to the Gautrain rail system.
The SMEC Consortium comprises SMEC South Africa, DLA Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr and Deloitte – consultants with proficiencies in public–private partnership (PPP) procurement processes; rail design and planning; socioeconomic impact studies; and legal and financial planning.
The consultants have worked together on PPP and infrastructure projects and have developed methods and insights into the PPP process and rail feasibility studies that will be used during this FS.
“The purpose of the FS is to inform the decision to proceed with the Gautrain extensions and the preferred routes that should be developed. This should be based on a number of benefits, such as the transformational impact on the Gauteng economy, the modernisation of public transport, passenger access and mobility, improved spatial development, environmental impact and other benefits, such as job creation and poverty alleviation,” says Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Dr Ismail Vadi.
The study will enable the GMA to weigh up the benefits against the costs in an informed way, he notes.
The proposed rapid rail extensions to the Gautrain network follow from the recently completed Gauteng 25-Year Integrated Transport Master Plan (ITMP25), which provides a long-term plan that will ensure the integration of transport into spatial patterns, as well as the integration among various transport modes to transport people efficiently.
Vadi says the ITMP25 has identified rail as an essential component and backbone for an integrated and efficient public transport system in Gauteng.
He emphasises that the proposed extensions form part of an integrated government commitment to improve the standard of living of the citizens in and around the Gauteng city-region through infrastructure development.
Once the FS is completed in the latter part of 2015, funding models will be presented to the Provincial and National Treasuries for budgetary consideration.
Key Contracts and Suppliers
SMEC Consortium, comprising SMEC South Africa, DLA Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr and Deloitte (FS).
On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.
Contact Details for Project Information
GMA, tel +27 11 086 3500 or fax +27 11 580 0604.
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, fax +27 11 562 1111