OR Tambo to Sandton Gautrain link ready for 2010

Latest from construction company, Bombela, the Gautrain rail link between OR Tambo International Airport and Sandton Central Station WILL be ready before the FIFA 2010 World Cup™ kicks off on 11 June 2010. In fact, they're aiming to have this link complete by 27 May.

Great news indeed - as earlier reports were that the Gautrain would not be ready in time for this momentuous event.

Construction is racing on ahead:

"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.

"Externally, the platform structures and canopies are substantially complete, with finishing works, including the installation of tinted glass closure screens, currently in progress. Rail tracks have been installed through the station. Construction of the three sets of emergency access stairs located at the ends on the platform is ongoing."

Meanwhile, the 16 kilometres of tunnels running from Park Station in the CBD to the Marlboro Station in Alexandra are complete. Work on the seven emergency access shafts - Hillbrow, Riviera, Dunkeld, Rivonia Road, Illovo, two in Houghton - is ongoing.

The 10 Gautrain stations are beginning to look like railway stations, with entrances and exits, stairways, platforms and parking garages taking shape.

Delays in construction have supposedly been due to land acquisition issues, delivery and numerous project variation instructions.

Visit Johannesburg News Agency for the full story ...