Name of the Project
Gautrain expansion project.
Location
Gauteng, South Africa.
Client
Gauteng Roads and Transport Department and Gauteng Management Agency.
Project Description
The proposed expansion of the Gautrain will add 140 km of rail network to the existing Gautrain system, incorporating 19 new stations. The current 82 km route has ten stations.
Tshwane will secure six new stations, Ekurhuleni three and Johannesburg ten.
The following main stations have been identified:
• 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 possible link-up with the OR Tambo International Airport Midfield terminal development.
• A future link from Cosmo City to Lanseria Airport.
The expansion project, however, will be too big as one project, and indications are that it will be split into five phases.
Jobs to be Created
The proposed expansion of the Gautrain rail system has the capacity to create about 211 000 direct jobs.
Value
Not stated.
Duration
Initial planning sees construction of the first phase starting in 2021
Latest Developments
The project has applied for National Treasury approval of the project as a public–private partnership project in terms of the Public Finance Management Act.
National Treasury will evaluate the feasibility study on factors such as affordability and value for money.
Transport Minister Joe Maswanganyi has said that national government will, in principle, support the expansion of the Gautrain system.
However, he has emphasised that affordability would be a key issue in determining whether national government will provide funding to 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
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.