Gautrain media briefing, Park Hyatt Hotel
3 October 2007
The Gautrain Rapid Link represents a huge economic asset for the country and
has direct spin-offs for the people of Gauteng. And today's proceedings have
allowed us to take stock of our journey to bring this project into fruition.
This is particularly true at the backdrop of our preparation for the 2010
Soccer World Cup. The national government and Gauteng government continue to
work together to harness the economic benefits and potential of this asset for
the years ahead and in particular for the 2010 event.
The importance of this project is within the context of the National
Passenger Rail plan currently being implemented by government. Our approach for
the Gautrain project has been very holistic so that we could maximise its
benefits through the promotion of inter-modal integration and priority
corridors in accordance with the Rail plan. The role of Gautrain must therefore
be seen with the context of interlinking the various modes and nodes within the
Gauteng area. It is indeed an aggressive response to key transport challenges
such as congestion, efficient public transport, but most importantly, the
stimulation of economic development in the Gauteng Region. Seven areas of
operational integration have been identified as part of this holistic and
integrated approach.
These areas include, fare integration, information integration, physical
integration, network integration, technical as well as communication
integration and all these areas are being addressed by the Review Team
responsible for the Gautrain integration exercise.
Our journey to deliver this project of 80-kilometre route and 10 new
stations can be summarised as follows.
* I can confirm that the route between the OR Tambo International Airport and
Sandton will be completed in time for the 2010 Soccer World Cup.
* Utilities such as water pipes, electricity and telecommunication cables, in
most areas, have already been removed and nearly 70% of affected properties
along the proposed route have been handed over.
* Tunnel portals have been prepared and tunnelling is on track at Johannesburg
Park Station, Rosebank, Mushroom Farm Park and Marlboro Portal.
* Pile sheet walls and diaphragm walls for underground stations have been
installed.
* More than a kilometre of the total 15 kilometres of tunnelling has been
completed.
* Spread footing foundations and supporting pillars for most of Gautrain's
viaducts are near completion. In particular, the construction of the viaduct
for the Gautrain station at the airport is well on track. A total of 11
viaducts need to be constructed over rivers, roads and busy highway
intersections.
* The excavation of emergency escape shafts is well on track with two already
completed in Dunkeld and Mushroom Farm Park.
* The construction of the first bridge over the Juskei River is underway and
four more bridges are also being built.
* The cut and cover excavation for an underpass at the N3 near Marlboro is
making good progress and preparations are underway for another cut and cover
structure on the N12 freeway near Pretoria.
* The train and bus depots are under construction in Midrand to stable and
service Gautrain's 24 train sets and to station Gautrain's 150 commuter busses.
And the administravive building for the bus depot has already been
completed.
* Financially, we have so far expended R 8,8 billion on this project and the
private sector is spending more than R3 billion - a major portion of which has
already been spent.
It must also be indicated that the construction work will be accelerated
with the much anticipated arrival of a custom-made, Tunnel Boring Machine,
manufactured in Germany. We have made it our duty to ensure that during
construction, extra precautions are taken to minimise traffic disruptions and
negative environmental impact. The Community Liaison Forums have also been
established, in affected communities, as part of the development of close
partnerships with our people.
It must be emphasised that the fast pace of the construction work,
demonstrates the role of the Public Private Partnerships in the delivery of
much needed transport infrastructure. As government we are confident that this
project will indeed increase the ease of passenger movements through the
Greater Gauteng. A number of existing and planned strategic transport
interventions to support the Gautrain will also bring an added value to this
project. These would include among others, the Johannesburg central business
district (CBD) inner city distribution system, Tshwane CBD inner city
distribution system and the Wits Regional Rail Priority Corridors. This
integration will demonstrate that passenger rail is indeed an appropriate mode
to effectively move people in large volumes.
This project also falls within our rail service set target during peak
frequencies of five to ten minutes, with train services available for at least
14 to 16 hours a day, particularly during the 2010 Soccer World Cup. Government
has also invested more than R16 billion through the South African Rail Commuter
Corporation Limited (SARCC) to upgrade both the rolling stock and
infrastructure for the Metrorail service over the next three years. The
consolidation of the Shosholoza Meyl into the SARCC will also be completed by
April next year. It is our firm belief that these initiatives will transform
and integrate our public transport into a world class system.
Enquiries:
Collen Msibi
Cell: 082 414 5279
Issued by: Department of Transport
3 October 2007
