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Tunnel excavation from Park Station is complete, with breakthrough to the tunnel from Shaft E2 having been achieved on 11 September 2009. This significant milestone marked the completion of almost 16 km of tunnelling excavation on the Gautrain Project, carried out over the past 2 ½ years – truly a world-class performance.
Civil works in this section of tunnel are ongoing.Within the station box, the roof slab is complete, the concourse slab is at 95% and the platforms are 85% complete. Internal brickwork is ongoing. At the parkade that is being constructed above the station, columns at ground level are approaching completion and formwork to the first floor of the parking deck has commenced.
Preparations to reinstate Wolmarans Street to its original configuration are ongoing.
EMERGENCY ACCESS SHAFT E1 (HILLBROW)
At Shaft E1, which is 80 metres deep, shaft lining is in progress. Excavation of the safe haven at the bottom of this shaft was completed during July 2009.
The single-track rail tunnel between Park Station and Sandton Station will feature seven emergency access shafts. These shafts will provide emergency services personnel access to the tunnels below. At the bottom of certain of these shafts there will be safe havens where
passengers can gather in case of an emergency.
EMERGENCY ACCESS SHAFT E2 (THE WILDS, HOUGHTON)
At Shaft E2, tunneling from both faces is complete, with the 144 metre long tunnel section linked to the TBM tunnel some months ago and breakthrough from the south drive towards Park Station having been achieved on 11 September 2009. Civil works within this section of the tunnel, as well as in the safe haven at the bottom of Shaft E2, are ongoing.
EMERGENCY ACCESS SHAFT E3 (RIVIERA)
Civil works within the shaft are well advanced and construction of the head house structure on the surface is ongoing. Being a shallow shaft with direct access to the surface, there is no safe haven necessary at the bottom of this shaft.
EMERGENCY ACCESS SHAFT E4 (HOUGHTON)
Civil works within the shaft are well advanced and construction of the head house structure on the surface is ongoing. Like E3, being a shallow shaft with direct access to the surface, there is no safe haven necessary at the bottom of this shaft.
ROSEBANK STATION
Construction of the concourse slab is complete, the roof slab is 95% complete and the platforms are also substantially complete. Construction of the technical and operational rooms is in progress, with brickwork, plastering, painting and plumbing ongoing at both platform and concourse levels. Within the concourse and platform areas, escalators have been positioned and M&E ventilation duct installation is in progress.
At the parkade structure, located on corner of Oxford Road and Baker Street, piling is ongoing, first lift columns are in progress and beams to the first floor of the parking deck have commenced.
Construction of the cut and cover box sections at either end of the station, which link the station box to the tunnels, is ongoing.
Within the tunnel bored by the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) from the south end of the station, the invert slab is complete and casting of walkways was completed towards the end of September 2009. Invert slabs and walkways within the Drill & Blast (D&B) tunnel from the north end of the station to Shaft E5 are complete.
EMERGENCY ACCESS SHAFT E5 (DUNKELD, ROSEBANK)
Civil works within this section of the tunnel, as well as in the safe haven at the bottom of Shaft E5, are in progress. Casting of the tunnel invert slab towards Shaft E6 is ongoing.
EMERGENCY ACCESS SHAFT E6 (ILLOVO)
The shotcrete shaft lining and excavation of the safe haven at the bottom of this shaft have both been completed and the underground civil works are in progress. Casting of invert slabs and walkways towards Shaft E7 is ongoing.
EMERGENCY ACCESS SHAFT E7 (WESTERN SIDE OF RIVONIA ROAD, SANDTON)
Excavation of the 170 metre long connecting adit from the bottom of this shaft to the main rail tunnel is complete, and civil works within the adit are in progress. Casting of invert slabs and walkways within the tunnel towards Sandton is ongoing.
SANDTON STATION
At 45 metres (15 storeys) below ground level, Sandton Station is Gautrain’s deepest station.
Underground station construction works are ongoing in the cavern section between the south and north shafts, as well as within the shafts themselves. These works include the base slabs for the tracks, construction of the various platforms, the technical rooms and operational rooms, as well as the escalator and lift shafts and stairways that are located within the shafts.
Construction of the adjacent three level underground parkade is progressing apace, with the multiple parking decks and podium slab clearly visible from the surrounding buildings.
MUSHROOM FARM PARK CONSTRUCTION SHAFT
Mushroom Farm Park was a temporary shaft, which was used to provide access for tunnel construction in both northern and southern directions simultaneously. All tunnelling and construction works carried out from this shaft have been completed and site establishment facilities have been removed.
The top closure slab was cast in early August and backfilling of the shaft is approaching completion. Reinstatement of the community park is in progress and will be completed by year end.
MARLBORO PORTAL
The portal at Marlboro is the point where the tunnel section ‘daylights’. It separates the underground and surface sections of the route.
Tracklaying within the dual tunnel section linking Marlboro Portal to Sandton Station is ongoing. Unlike the above ground sections of the route where the rail tracks are supported on concrete sleepers and a conventional ballast system, the rail track construction within the tunnels utilises a ‘state of the art’ trackform system specially developed for this type of application. This comprises pre-cast concrete blocks attached to the underside of the rails, each of which is surrounded by a resilient ‘boot’, which is cast into the concrete track slab.
Externally, tracklaying from the Portal, through the Marlboro Station, up to the N3 Crossing at the Marlboro Drive interchange is in progress.
The temporary flash butt welding facility that was established adjacent to the portal has completed its operations and has been dismantled. This was where rails for the first section of tunnel were welded into 216 metre long lengths prior to installation of track within the tunnel. Rails for the balance of the underground section have been welded at the flash butt welding facility at the Train Depot, from where they will be transported along the railway line into the tunnels on a purpose-built rail train when required.
2. Surface alignment
VIADUCTS 1A AND 11 OVER JUKSKEI RIVER AND EAST BANK ROAD
Viaducts 1A and 11 crossing the Jukskei River and East Bank Drive are both complete. Railway lines and catenary masts have been installed across both of these structures.
Between Marlboro Portal and this pair of viaducts, trackworks and catenary installation are ongoing. Drainage and finishing works adjacent to the alignment in this area are approaching completion.
MARLBORO STATION
At Marlboro Station, concrete works, brickwork, structural steel, roof cladding, mechanical and electrical (M&E) installations and platform parapets are all substantially complete and internal finishes are ongoing. The adjacent two-level parking structure is complete and works on the bus terminal area are under way. Railway tracks have been laid through the station and installation of associated railway equipment is in progress.
At the nearby N3/Marlboro Drive interchange, construction of the cut and cover sections where the railway lines pass below the highway is complete and both carriageways of the N3 have been reinstated to their original positions. Reinstatements of temporary access ramps, closure of the additional bridge span and landscaping remain to be completed.
B) NORTHERN SECTION (Depot to Hatfield Station)
VIADUCT 2 OVER MODDERFONTEIN SPRUIT
Viaduct 2 and the two adjacent bridges over the future Frankenwald and Maxwell Roads are complete, with railway infrastructure in place across all three of these structures. Erection of noise barriers along this section of the alignment is also complete.
TRAIN AND BUS DEPOTS
All Train Depot facilities, including the maintenance workshops, the train system administration buildings and operations control centre, are complete and operational. This centre is the heartbeat of Gautrain from where signalling, telecommunications, automatic fare collection, traction power and overhead distribution CCTV cameras and maintenance will be managed using world-class, high technology systems.
At the Train Depot, Gautrain’s 24 train sets will be maintained, serviced cleaned, and securely stabled overnight.
At the adjacent Bus Maintenance Depot, which will perform a similar function for Gautrain’s dedicated fleet of 125 luxury buses, construction is well underway. This facility is located in the area that was occupied by the precast yard, which has now been largely dismantled. Construction of the workshop and canteen buildings is ongoing and refurbishment of the bus administration building - previously utilized as site offices for the precast yard – is also in progress. Construction of the fuel bay is well advanced, casting of the hardstand area surface beds is ongoing and work on the bus wash bay has commenced.
RAIL YARD AND TRACKWORKS
All trackwork and the stabling sidings within the Depot area are complete, energized and operational.
On the East-West airport line, tracklaying from behind Linbro Park towards OR Tambo International Airport commenced at the end of April and is progressing steadily eastwards. By the end of September, installation of twin-track railway lines was substantially complete to just west of the Kelvin power station and tracklaying operations were in progress along the remainder of the route up to ORTIA Station.
On the North-South line, the twin-track railway lines from just south of Dale Road in Midrand, past the Depot, to behind Linbro Park are complete and operational. This section of the route – which is approximately 7 km long - is used as the ‘test track’, where trains are being dynamically tested.
Tracklaying in the Marlboro area is well advanced.
Within the tunnels, tracklaying is ongoing between Marlboro Portal and Sandton Station.
RAIL CAR ASSEMBLY AND TESTING
Gautrain’s rolling stock of 96 rail cars is based on the renowned Bombardier Electrostar series, which is used extensively in the United Kingdom.
The first 15 rail cars were manufactured and fully assembled at Bombardier Transportation’s facility in Derby in the U.K. The manufacture of body shells and components for the remainder of the fleet is ongoing. All 15 of these Derby-built rail cars have been delivered to the Depot.
The body shells and major components for the remaining 81 rail cars are being ‘flat packed’ into crates and shipped to South Africa for assembly in Nigel. Delivery to the Depot of rail cars assembled at Union Carriage and Wagon Partnership in Nigel, which commenced during April 2009, is ongoing.
By the end of September, 36 of the 96 rail cars had been delivered to the Depot.
Dynamic testing of train sets continues on the 7km test track adjacent to the Depot.
VIADUCT 3 OVER ALLENDALE ROAD
North of the Depot, Viaduct 3 and all bridges, construction works and railway installations are substantially complete up to Midrand Station, with only some minor finishing works outstanding. This section of the route includes the test track, where dynamic testing of train sets is ongoing.
MIDRAND STATION
At Midrand Station, station building works and platform construction, including the structural steel platform roof structure, are well advanced and bulk earthworks for the parking areas are ongoing.
From the Midrand area northwards, bulk earthworks up to the Technopark area at Centurion are approaching completion. Drainage, layer works, duct installation, catenary mast bases, noise barriers and fencing are ongoing, with these works well advanced along extended lengths of the alignment.
VIADUCT 4 OVER RIETSPRUIT AND OLIFANTSFONTEIN ROAD SOUTH
Viaduct 4 is complete and is ready for the installation of railway lines and overhead catenaries.
VIADUCT 5 OVER THE N1, BEN SCHOEMAN AND INCLUDING CENTURION STATION
Viaduct 5c carries the elevated Gautrain railway lines through Centurion, forming the link between the balanced cantilever viaducts crossing the N1 highway at John Vorster interchange in the south and the Ben Schoeman highway at the Jean Avenue interchange in the north. It supports the elevated Centurion Station platforms located approximately midway along its length. The deck spans of this viaduct comprise precast concrete segments which are erected with purpose built steel launching girders and are then stressed together to form the deck spans. By the end of September, 41 of the deck spans – approximately 65% of the total – had been erected.
The Centurion Station platforms are elevated and are located on Viaduct 5, which runs immediately adjacent and parallel to West Street. The concourse buildings and parking area are at ground level. Foundation and building works for the station structure are ongoing and installation of precast platform components is well advanced. Erection of the structural steel platform roof canopies has started. Dynamic compaction of the parking area is ongoing.
Apart from the pier head at the southern abutment at Jean Avenue, construction of supporting piers and abutments at both the John Vorster and Jean Avenue balanced cantilever viaducts is complete. Construction of the in-situ balanced cantilever deck sections on top of the piers at each of these viaducts is ongoing. With the first few spans at both of these viaducts now substantially completed, the graceful arched forms of these exceptionally long deck spans are now clearly identifiable.
Several temporary steel pedestrian bridges have been erected over the N14 highway at the Jean Avenue interchange and across the N1 at John Vorster interchange to provide construction workers safe access across these busy highways.
VIADUCT 6 OVER EEUFEES ROAD
At Viaduct 6, foundation construction is complete, apart from at he southern abutment, where grouting is ongoing. Pier construction is in progress. At the northern end of this viaduct, assembly of the launching girder that will be utilized to erect the deck spans is approaching completion.
VIADUCT 7 OVER NELSON MANDELA BOULEVARD
Construction of this viaduct is progressing well. The deck to the section that will carry the railway lines across Nelson Mandela Boulevard is clearly visible. The M Beams for the first eight spans of Viaduct 7.1 have been placed in position, seven deck spans have been cast and parapet erection is in progress. Pier construction for the remaining sections of this “Y-shaped” structure that will cross over the existing railway lines is ongoing and two spans of M-beams have been installed on viaduct 7.2a.
Near Salvokop at the approach to Tshwane, a cut & cover structure will cross below the Ben Schoeman highway. Construction of the final phase of this structure is well advanced and reinstatement of the northbound carriageways of the highway will commence later this year.
PRETORIA STATION
Concrete and building works at Pretoria Station are well advanced. The platform and concourse roof cladding is substantially complete and curtain wall framing has started. Demolition of the McCarthy building, occupying the area where the parking area will be constructed, is almost complete.
HATFIELD STATION
At Hatfield Station, structural works for the concourse and platforms are under way. Column construction and casting of suspended slabs at the parkade structure are ongoing, where the two lower level decks have been completed and work is ongoing on upper levels. Parapet wall installation to the perimeter of the structure is in progress.
Between Pretoria Station and Hatfield Station, a number of bridges crossing the existing PRASA railway line require to be either widened or lengthened to accommodate the adjacent Gautrain tracks. Whilst some of these bridges have already been completed and reopened to traffic, works on a number of the remaining structures is ongoing. Extensive lateral support works, to enable the existing railway cutting to be widened, are also in progress.
C) EAST-WEST AIRPORT LINK
3. Airport Link (Marlboro Station to OR Tambo International Airport)
Civil construction works are substantially complete along the entire airport link, which includes eleven bridges, three viaducts and a number of other structures, including the platforms for a future station at Modderfontein. Works remaining include completion of fencing, drainage and landscaping.
Tracklaying from behind Linbro Park towards OR Tambo International Airport commenced at the end of April and is progressing steadily eastwards. By the end of September, installation of twin-track railway lines was substantially complete to just west of the Kelvin power station and tracklaying operations were in progress along the remainder of the route up to ORTIA Station.
VIADUCT 13 OVER CENTENARY WAY, MODDERFONTEIN
Viaduct 13 is complete and railway lines and overhead catenaries.
VIADUCT 14 OVER ZUURFONTEIN ROAD AND RAILWAY LINE
Viaduct 14 is complete and railway lines and overhead catenaries are being installed across this structure.
VIADUCT 15 INCLUDING RHODESFIELD STATION
The 1.5 km long Viaduct 15 is by far the longest viaduct on the east-west section of the route. This viaduct supports both the Rhodesfield and ORTIA Station platforms and will carry the double track railway line over the R21/R24 road network to the elevated OR Tambo International Airport Station.
Viaduct 15 is complete and installation of railway lines and overhead catenaries are in progress along this structure.
The Rhodesfield Station platforms are elevated and are located approximately one third of the way along Viaduct 15, directly above the existing Metrorail (now PRASA) railway lines running between Isando and Kempton Park. The station entrance, concourse and parking area will be positioned at ground level on the eastern side of the existing railway lines.
At Rhodesfield Station, the platform structure and platform roof are complete and the track slab though the station is ready for railway tracks to be laid. Concourse building works, platform accesses and erection of the structural steel concourse roof are substantially complete and installation of equipment in the technical rooms is in progress. Roof cladding to the concourse has started, as has floor and wall tiling within this area. Parking area construction is well advanced and is ongoing.
The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) continues with construction of a new station on its system, immediately adjacent to the Gautrain station. This will provide commuters with a convenient transfer link between the Gautrain and PRASA systems. Construction of the PRASA station foundations and columns has started. The placement of the ballast and installation of railway lines through the new station are underway
VIADUCT 15 INCLUDING OR TAMBO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT STATION
The ORTIA Station concourse is located at the eastern end of viaduct 15 and is directly linked to the departures level of the adjacent new Central Terminal Building, one level below.
Finishing works within the station concourse shell are approaching completion and electrical and mechanical installations are well advanced. Sample ticket vending machines and fare gates have been installed.
Externally, the platform structures, the structural steel platform canopies and roof cladding are all substantially complete and preparations for track installation have started.
D) OVERALL PROGRESS
Construction started at the end of September 2006. Gautrain will be completed in two phases:
1. The first phase has a duration of 45 months. It includes the network between the OR Tambo International Airport and Sandton and includes the stations at OR Tambo, Rhodesfield, Marlboro and Sandton, together with the Depot and Operations Control Centre located near Allandale Road in Midrand.
2. The second phase, being constructed concurrently, will be completed in 54 months, during 2011. It includes the remainder of the rail network and stations linking Sandton to Park Station in Johannesburg and the route from Midrand to Hatfield.
Toll-free call centre: 0800-GAUTRAIN (0800-42887246). The call centre is operational weekdays between 7am and 7pm with an answering system after-hours. Communities are reminded that regular Community Liaison Forums are held in affected areas. These afford residents the opportunity to voice their concerns and have their questions answered by Gautrain officials who are present at these meetings.
