The Gautrain’s second phase is “almost ready”, with construction complete at certain stations, a spokesperson said on Wednesday.
“At Rosebank station, works within the underground station are approaching completion. The first Electrostar train arrived in Rosebank during the month,” Barbara Jensen said in a statement.
Testing of trains and the signalling system along this section of the route had started, and test runs between Rosebank and Pretoria were ongoing.
The parkade was “substantially complete”. Final finishings and installation of shadeport canopies on the top parking deck would follow in the coming weeks.
“Works to both of the western entrances and the ventilation shaft are well advanced. The structural steel canopy structures have been erected and roof cladding completed, with side cladding to follow.”
All structural work at Park Station and its parkade structures was also complete.
‘Substantially complete’
Construction was “substantially complete” at Midrand Station.
“The new section of Grand Central Boulevard that provides access to the station from the Old Pretoria Road [K101], and the widening of a section of the K101 adjacent to the station, were both completed during the month. Installation of street lighting along the new section of Grand Central Boulevard is currently in progress.”
Trains were running through the station regularly en-route to and from Pretoria, as part of current testing.
The first phase of the Gautrain was opened for use in June last year. It included the link between Sandton Station and OR Tambo International Airport, a commuter service between Sandton and Rhodesfield, with an intermediate stop at Marlboro Station, as well as bus services to and from the Sandton and Rhodesfield Stations.
Phase two was the route between Sandton and Park Station, and that between Midrand and Hatfield in Pretoria. — Sapa