Name of the Project
Gauteng Rapid Rail Integrated Network (GRRiN) expansion project.

Location
Gauteng, South Africa.

Client
Gauteng Roads and Transport Department and Gautrain Management Agency.

Project Description
The feasibility study has been completed for the GRRiN expansion project that could add 140 km of rail network to the existing rapid rail network in Gauteng, incorporating 19 new stations. The current 82 km rapid rail network has ten stations.

Six stations have been identified in Tshwane, three in Ekurhuleni and ten in Johannesburg.

The proposed stations are:
• On the link between Jabulani through Cosmo City and Samrand to Mamelodi; stations include Roodepoort, Little Falls, Fourways, Sunninghill, Olievenhoutsbosch, Irene, Tshwane East and Hazeldean.
• On the link between Sandton and Cosmo City, with a station at Randburg.
• On the link between Rhodesfield and Boksburg, there will be a station at East Rand Mall and a possible link-up with the OR Tambo International Airport Midfield terminal development.
• A future link from Cosmo City to Lanseria Airport.

The GRRiN mega expansion project as a whole, however, will be too big and costly to be constructed as one project, and will be phased. The feasibility study identified five possible phases.

Jobs to be Created
The overall GRRiN project could create more than 211 000 direct jobs. Its socioeconomic value (such as skills, enterprise and supplier development) is estimated at R1.6-billion in Gauteng. The project has the potential for R79-billion in local content, of which black-owned enterprises could supply an estimated R31-billion.

Value
The estimated value of the GRRiN project is R111-billion.

Duration
Initial planning is to carry out a route determination followed by preliminary design process before tenders for the GRRiN project can be issued. The route determination process should start during 2017/18.

Latest Developments
An application has been submitted to obtain the National Treasury’s approval of the project as a public–private partnership in terms of the Public Finance Management Act.

The National Treasury is evaluating the feasibility study on factors such as affordability and value for money.

Transport Minister Joe Maswanganyi has indicated that national government will, in principle, support the GRRiN expansion. However, he has emphasised that affordability will be a key issue in determining whether national government will provide funding for the project. The question of affordability is linked not only to construction costs but also to subsidies.  The Gautrain currently receives around R850-million in subsidies a year.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
The feasibility study was completed by the SMEC Consortium, comprising of SMEC South Africa, DLA Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr and Deloitte.

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.