PHASE 1 DRAFT PRELIMINARY REPORT APPROVED

The preliminary design for Gautrain along all sections of the route that have not been subject to variant alignments proposed by the preferred bidder has been agreed to by MEC Jacobs, the MEC for Public Transport, Roads and Works in Gauteng. A notice as such has been published in the Provincial Gazette 09 March 2006.

All systems go for Gautrain

A further milestone had been reached in ensuring that the construction of the Gautrain can commence soon. MEC Jacobs, the MEC for Transport in Gauteng has agreed to the preliminary design for Gautrain along all sections of the route that have not been subject to variant alignments proposed by the preferred bidder. A notice as such has been published in the Provincial Gazette.

This prepares the way for the proclamation and expropriation of the rail reserve.

The notice follows the publication of the draft Phase 1 Preliminary Design Report for the Gautrain on 14 October 2005 which sought to obtain public comments to inform the approval decision to be made by the MEC. The MEC considered all comments and thus could approve the preliminary design.

The preliminary design defines the vertical and horizontal boundaries of the rail reserve. Land and, utility owners as well as municipalities now know exactly how they will be affected.

Phase 1 is the part of the route where no variant alignments were proposed and includes:

Park Station to Rosebank Station (Route in tunnel)
Rosebank Station to Sandton Station (Route in tunnel)
Sandton Station to Mushroom Farm Park (Route in tunnel)
M1 to Marlboro Portal (Route in tunnel)
Marlboro Station to Brakfontein Interchange (Centurion)
Jean Avenue (Centurion) to Eeufees Road (Pretoria)
Linbro Park landfill site to Rhodesfield

Approval for Phase 2 will be sought from the MEC after the necessary environmental investigations and public participation processes have been completed.

The approval of the preliminary design by the MEC allows for the process of expropriation to commence. Land will be expropriated in the areas where construction is to commence first. This includes properties in the vicinity of Park Station, Rosebank station, Sandton Station and the tunnel portal in the Marlboro area. It further includes the land needed for the maintenance depot in Midrand situated south of Allendale Road on the farm Waterval.

Certain conditions are now placed on the land affected by the Gautrain. These conditions require that no approvals for new township establishments, subdivisions of land or any changes in land use may be granted within this rail reserve area without the consent of the MEC for Public Transport, Roads and Works. This will also apply to any utility owner laying, constructing, altering or adding any service that affects the railway reserve.

It can also be confirmed that all other processes regarding the Gautrain are on track and some of these include:

Finalisation of the negotiations with the preferred bidder that will result in the signing of the Concession Agreement.
The removal of utilities in the rail reserve of the Gautrain;
The publication and consultation regarding the minor route amendments, the variant route proposals and the Environmental Management Plan.
A brand validation process whereby the public has the opportunity to vote for the logo they prefer.

Where to view the report

The Phase 1 Preliminary Design report are available for inspection at the Plan Room of the Department of Public Transport, Roads and Works, First Floor, South Tower, Sage Life Building, 41 Simmonds Street, Johannesburg. A copy of the draft report may also be inspected at www.gautrain.co.za and at the following address during office hours from 08:00 to 16:00 on weekdays:

Gautrain Project Office

Ten Sixty Six, 12th Floor
35 Pritchard Street (cnr Harrison)
Johannesburg
Tel: (011) 298 4900

Interested and affected parties may request reasons for the acceptance of the Phase 1 Preliminary Design within 21 days from 10 March 2006. Such reasons can be requested by hand or post from Gautrain Project Office, “Ten Sixty Six”, 35 Pritchard Street, Johannesburg, 2000 or by fax to number (011) 298-4916 or by e-mail to the following address: comments@gautrainpo.co.za for attention – The Project Leader: Gautrain Project, quoting reference number Gautrain/PD02.

All systems go for Gautrain

Where to view the report

Gautrain Project Office

DRAFT PRELIMINARY DESIGN BRIEFING:

DRAFT PRELIMINARY DESIGN REPORT:

PRELIMINARY DESIGN ADVERTISEMENTS:

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