28 September 2006
The Gauteng Provincial Government has finalised negotiations and it can now
sign the Concession Agreement with Bombela Concessionaire for the construction,
operations and maintenance of the Gautrain Project.
Gauteng Premier, Mbhazima Shilowa, at the commencement of construction said
"This is a very important day for Gauteng. After months of discussions and
negotiations the Concession Agreement has been finalised. The process has been
long but is unavoidable for a project and agreement of this complexity, cost
and duration. The Gauteng Provincial Government has a responsibility towards
our taxpayers. It needs to ensure that this relationship is built on firm
foundations".
"All the checks and balances are in place and we are now taking a major step
forward in our journey of turning the Gautrain vision into a reality. The
project has moved into the next phase - construction. By doing so, we are
putting into action the provincial government's commitment to make Gauteng a
better place, a place where people will have the choice of a world-class public
transport mode. We are indeed proudly taking Gauteng further," said
Shilowa.
The province is entering into a single contract with the Bombela
Concessionaire to ensure there is one point of accountability. To undertake its
obligations, Bombela has entered into two separate contracts - one with the
Turnkey Contractor (TKC) and the other with the Operations and Maintenance
Joint Venture (O and M). In turn, TKC has entered into two contracts with a
Civil Joint Venture and the other with an Electrical and Mechanical (E and M)
joint venture. Similarly O and M enters into two contracts with a Bus Feeder
and Distributor Company and a Maintainer.
Construction of Gautrain will start on the southern portion of the project,
including - Park Station, Rosebank, Sandton, Marlboro, Midrand, Rhodesfield and
O R Tambo (Johannesburg) International Airport Stations, and south of Midrand.
In addition to this, a shaft will be sunk for the tunnel in the Sandton
vicinity at Mushroom Farm Park with the tunnel also commencing at the Marlboro
Portal. A series of road and intersection upgrades and traffic diversions to
accommodate the construction activities will start taking place, mostly near
Sandton, Rosebank and Park Station.
The construction and completion of the Gautrain system will take place in
various stages. The Sandton to O R Tambo International Airport as well as the
link between Sandton and Midrand will be completed and tested in 45 months, in
time for the Soccer World Cup in 2010. The remaining five stations inclusive of
the links between Sandton to Johannesburg Park Station and Midrand to Hatfield
will be completed and tested in 54 months, by 1 March 2011.
All construction activities must be undertaken within an approved
environmental management plan. The aim of this plan is to ensure that sound
environmental management processes are incorporated in day-to-day project
construction and operations activities. It regulates all aspects including road
and intersection upgrades, tree transplanting and removal as well as noise and
dust management.
"It is realised that there will be disruptions in the lives of the people of
Gauteng during the construction period of the Gautrain. Every effort will be
made to manage these inconveniences. In the long term these disruptions will be
worthwhile. We will realise the benefits including jobs, economic growth and
most of all freedom of movement to our people. We will have a rapid rail system
that can proudly take its place among the best in the world. In a couple of
years people will not be able to imagine Gauteng without Gautrain," concluded
Shilowa.
Enquiries:
Barbara Jensen
Tel: (011) 880 9936
Cell: 083 600 4862
Issued by: Gauteng Provincial Government
28 September 2006
Source: SAPA
