It could take several more weeks to finish the paperwork and legal processes needed to start building the Gautrain, the project’s spokesperson said on Thursday.
”Construction will only begin once we’ve signed the concession agreement, but we don’t want to put a timeline on it,” Barbara Jensen said.
Gauteng’s finance MEC Paul Mashatile said last year construction on the project would start at the beginning of 2006.
”[Financial closure with Bombela] should be completed by the end of the year,” Mashatile said in November 2005.
Jensen said the successful end to the agreement was expected ”in the next few weeks”.
The concession agreement — between the province of Gauteng and the preferred bidder, Bombela — decided who would carry the risks for what.
Lawyers from each party would then need another four to six weeks to finalise the decisions.
”I don’t think people have an idea what projects of this nature entail … This is an agreement that the province will have to live with for 20 years. It’s a financial risk to the province and the taxpayer.
”We want to do it as thoroughly, and to the best interests of everybody concerned, especially the taxpayer,” said Jensen.
Reports would be presented this week on proposed changes to the route. The public would then have 30 days to comment on these.
”We’re also commencing on the process of establishing the environmental management plan, which will be a legally binding document to determine how construction and operation of the system will take place.”
Jensen said the final stages of talks with Rand Water, Telkom, Eskom and Egoli Gas on moving their lines and pipes were also under way.
The Democratic Alliance said on Thursday it was becoming ”increasingly obvious” that Bombela will not have started construction by the end of April.
”By the time all the paperwork is completed and the legalities tied up, we will be a week away from April. And that is a best case scenario,” said James Swart, the party’s provincial spokesperson on transport.
The Cabinet approved the R20-billion project in December. The DA warned that the Cabinet would live to regret its decision.
The money could be better spent improving existing public transport, the Congress of South African Trade Unions and the South African Transport and Allied Workers Union have said.
Jensen said it would take 54 months to build the Gautrain from the date the concession agreement was signed.
The entire Gautrain route of 80km would thus not be completed in time for the 2010 Soccer World Cup.
”[Bombela] will start the Johannesburg International Airport to Sandton link. That will be constructed and completed by 2010,” Jensen said.
This would make it possible to ferry tourists into Johannesburg. – Sapa