The Gautrain link between OR Tambo International airport and Sandton will be finished in time for the Soccer World Cup in 2010, Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa said at a sod-turning ceremony for the project on Thursday.
”Bombela [International Consortium] has given me their assurance that we will be well in time for the Soccer World Cup — a promise I’m going to keep them to,” Shilowa said at Alexandra in Johannesburg.
Bombela and the provincial government signed the 30 000-page construction contract on Thursday.
”Our first objective is to build a world-class high speed railway system for Gauteng,” said Bombela’s chief executive Denis Bouvette, who added that the full construction period for the project would be 54 months.
”However, we have agreed … to open a partial system from [the] airport to Sandton and Midrand after 45 months,” he said.
The Gautrain Rapid Rail Link, with a maximum speed of 160kph, will enable commuters to travel between the airport and Sandton in 14 minutes.
The second phase includes sections between Johannesburg Park Station and Sandton, Midrand and Hatfield in Pretoria. This will render the Gautrain the world’s second biggest public-private partnership, said Shilowa.
Once completed, the Gautrain will link 10 stations over 80km of rail as well as having created a number of jobs and opportunities for skills transfer.
”It is estimated that Gautrain will create 93 000 direct, indirect and induced jobs during construction and more than 3 000 per year once operation commences,” said Shilowa.
Its contribution to the Gauteng Growth and Development Strategy will be between 0,7% and 1%, he said.
Minister of Transport Jeff Radebe echoed the premier’s sentiment that the Gautrain would be an economic asset.
”Where we stand today [the construction site of Marlboro Station] will soon be a hub of activity … an economic business sector,” he said. — Sapa