The consortium building the rail link, Bombela Concession Company, has just been given two amounts of R144 million (USD19.4 million) each from the provincial and national governments, and it plans to have the route between the airport and Sandton complete by 27 May. The World Cup starts on 11 June. "The Gautrain consortium and the Gauteng provincial government have come to a resolution to ensure completion of the OR Tambo link and Sandton before the event," stated the National Treasury.

In July 2009, Bombela offered to fast track construction of this section at a cost of R1.3 billion, but this was refused by the provincial government. Bombela responded by indicating it would find solutions without the extra funding, says Ingrid Jensen, the spokesperson for the Gautrain.

The extra R288-million was paid at the end of 2009, and, stresses Jensen, it will not necessarily be used for the completion of the airport link but rather for general construction along the entire route. The amount largely accounts for inflationary costs.

"A lot can happen, like construction delays. It is a tight schedule," she says.

"Finishing works within the station concourse shell are approaching completion and electrical and mechanical installations are well advanced. Ticket vending machines and fare gates have been installed and are being tested," according to the latest Gautrain construction update.

Source: City of Johannesburg

Sign in with a social network: