The Gautrain route has been finalised and can now be cleared for construction to begin, Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa said on Thursday.
”We now know which route we are going to use and any utilities [electricity, gas and water lines] in the way can be moved beginning today,” Shilowa told reporters in Johannesburg.
He said preferred bidder Bombela and the provincial government signed an agreement on Wednesday on issues that could affect the cost of the project.
”I am pleased to announce that we now have a deal,” Shilowa said.
It is up to Bombela to decide when it will start moving gas, water, telephone and electricity lines.
The next step is for the two parties’ lawyers to finalise the concession agreement, which determines who will carry the risks for what.
The minister of finance will then have to approve it.
”[This] agreement should stand up to the scrutiny of the Treasury and the people of Gauteng.”
Gautrain spokesperson Barbara Jensen said this process could take another eight weeks. Construction on the Gautrain will then get under way.
Gauteng’s finance minister, Paul Mashatile, said last year that 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.
On Thursday, Shilowa would not reveal what the reason for the delay was, other than to say: ”We should have started last year, but couldn’t because things had to be finalised.”
The project is expected to cost R20-billion.
Legal hurdles are still anticipated, but no rules will be flouted, said the premier.
”We have been to court many times on the Gautrain and we’re ready to go back many times.”
Public hearings on the environmental study were completed on Valentine’s Day and have been submitted to the Department of Agriculture and Land Affairs for approval. — Sapa