SOUTH AFRICA | Railways

[Mo Rush]

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The Mosaics and the glass work well together.
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Nice shiny black tiles...very OR Tambo

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More slippery white tiles

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Cladding being removed and old ticket offices closed

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Cape Government Railways tiles being retained

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View from inside new ticket office

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View towards ticket office
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New location for shops inside terminus square

[Mo Rush]

Originally Posted by Jeffahn

From about a week ago:

New black tiling on walls at entrances:





New floor tiling is currently ~50-60% complete:

Courtesy of Jeffahn

[The E.N.D]

Bump...

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE - 30 NOVEMBER 2009
PARK STATION

CONSTRUCTION INSIDE THE JOHANNESBURG PARK STATION
SHAFT WITH THE STATION BOX IN THE BACKGROUND


CONSTRUCTION WORK INSIDE THE TUNNEL BETWEEN PARK
STATION AND EMERGENCY SHAFT 1(HILLBROW)

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.

At the underground station itself, the roof slab, concourse slab and the platforms are all substantially complete. Internal brickwork and plastering is ongoing at both concourse and platform levels and mechanical and electrical (M&E) installations are in progress. At the parkade structure, the first floor deck has been cast and construction of the second floor deck is ongoing.

Reinstatement of Wolmarans Street to its original configuration is well advanced.

EMERGENCY ACCESS SHAFT E1 (HILLBROW)

At Shaft E1, which is 80 metres deep, the shaft lining has been completed and civil works for the safe haven at the bottom of this shaft are ongoing.

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 substantially complete and construction of the head house structure on the surface is well advanced, with the roof structure now erected. 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


INSTALLATION OF THE HEATING AND AIR VENTILATION DUCT
ON PLATFORM LEVEL AT ROSEBANK STATION


CONSTRUCTION OF THE ROSEBANK STATION CONCOURSE

Construction of the concourse and roof slabs are both complete, with waterproofing of the roof slab well advanced. Platform structures, brickwork and plastering are all substantially complete and painting and plumbing at both platform and concourse levels are well advanced. Elevators have been positioned within the station box and M&E installations are ongoing.

At the parkade structure, located on corner of Oxford Road and Baker Street, pile caps and foundations are ongoing and columns and beams to the first floor of the parking deck are in progress.

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)

Excavation and lining of this shaft are complete. Civil works within the shaft, as well as in the safe haven and the adjacent sections of the tunnel, are in progress.

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 within this section of the tunnel are 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 this section of the tunnel and the adjacent connecting adit are ongoing.

SANDTON STATION

CONSTRUCTION OF SANDTON STATION'S MULTI-LEVEL UNDERGROUND PARKADE


INSTALLATION OF THE HEATING AND AIR VENTILATION DUCT
ON PLATFORM LEVEL AT 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 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. Mechanical and electrical (M&E) installations are in progress and the escalators that will transport commuters between the station entrance and the underground platforms will be installed in the north shaft shortly. Tracklaying within the station is in progress.

Construction of the adjacent parkade structure, is progressing apace.

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.

Reinstatement and landscaping of the community park is well advanced and will be completed by early next year. The aerial balloon facility that has recently been established in the park is nothing to do with the Gautrain project – this is an independent arrangement entered into between the City of Johannesburg Parks Department and an unrelated commercial enterprise.

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 well advanced and the installation of associated railway infrastructure, such as signalling and communications, 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, and below the N3 Crossing at the Marlboro Drive interchange is substantially complete and installation of associated railway infrastructure 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, finishing works and landscaping are approaching completion.

MARLBORO STATION


CONSTRUCTION OF MARLBORO STATION


INTERNAL FINISHES AT MARLBORO STATION WITH FLOOR AND WALL TILING AND PAINTING INSIDE THE STATION

At Marlboro Station, internal finishes – including floor and wall tiling and painting - are ongoing. Glazing of the external walls of the concourse and over-platform links is in progress. Externally, works at the bus terminal area are underway. 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. Closure of the additional temporary Marlboro Drive 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 was dismantled a few months ago. Construction of the bus workshop, canteen, gatehouse, bus wash facility, fuel bay and apron slabs is ongoing, together with refurbishment of the admin building previously utilized as site offices.

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 has progressed steadily eastwards. By the end of November, installation of twin-track railway lines and associated railway infrastructure was in progress along the entire length 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.

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 November, 44 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 items and completion of landscaping works outstanding. This section of the route includes the test track, where dynamic testing of train sets is ongoing.

MIDRAND STATION


MIDRAND STATION, CONSTRUCTION OF THE PLATFORMS AND THE TRACK FORMATION THROUGH THE STATION


CONSTRUCTION OF THE STRUCTURAL STEEL PLATFORM ROOF STRUCTURE AT MIDRAND STATION

At Midrand Station, station building works, including the structural steel platform and concourse roof structures, are substantially complete and roof cladding is ongoing. Platforms are substantially complete and the track formation through the station was completed during October.

Retaining walls, earthworks and drainage for the parking areas are well advanced and layerworks and surfacing have commenced.

From the Midrand area northwards, civil construction works up to the Technopark area at Centurion are approaching completion. Drainage, layer works, duct installation, catenary mast bases, noise barriers, fencing and landscaping are ongoing, with these works well advanced along the full length of this section 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 associated railway infrastructure.

VIADUCT 5 OVER THE N1, BEN SCHOEMAN AND INCLUDING CENTURION STATION


CONSTRUCTION OF CENTURION STATION ON TOP OF VIADUCT 5


CONCOURSE AND TECHNICAL ROOM BUILDING WORKS AT CENTURION STATION (VIADUCT 5)

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 November, 47 of the deck spans – approximately 85% of the total – had been erected and parapets had been installed on many of these spans.

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. Erection of precast platform components atop the viaduct, including platform parapets, is complete, as is the structural steel platform canopy structure. At ground level, foundations, concourse and technical room building works and platform access stair and lift shaft construction are ongoing. Dynamic compaction of the parking area is ongoing and earthworks are in progress.

The supporting piers and abutments at both the John Vorster and Jean Avenue balanced cantilever viaducts are complete. Construction of the in-situ balanced cantilever deck sections on top of the piers at each of these viaducts is ongoing. A number of theses exceptionally long and graceful deck spans at both of these viaducts have now been completed.

VIADUCT 6 OVER EEUFEES ROAD

At Viaduct 6, precast deck segments, which are erected by means of a launching girder, have been installed to three of the six spans of this structure.

VIADUCT 7 OVER NELSON MANDELA BOULEVARD

Construction of this viaduct is progressing apace. The deck to the section that will carry the railway lines across Nelson Mandela Boulevard is well advanced and parapet erection is in progress. Pier and trestle beam construction for the remaining sections of this “Y-shaped” structure that will cross over the existing railway lines is ongoing, together with placing of the M-beams for the bridge decks.

Near Salvokop at the approach to Tshwane, the cut & cover structure below the Ben Schoeman highway has been completed. Reinstatement of the northbound carriageways of the highway is in progress.

PRETORIA STATION


GLAZING OF THE CONCOURSE CURTAIN WALL AT PRETORIA STATION


PRETORIA STATION CLADDED PLATFORM ROOF STRUCTURE

HATFIELD STATION


STRUCTURAL WORKS FOR THE HATFIELD STATION CONCOURSE AND PLATFORM IN THE VICINITY OF THE PRASA RAILWAY PORTAL STRUCTURE


CONSTRUCTION OF THE MULTI-LEVEL PARKADE FOR HATFIELD STATION

Foundations and structural works for the concourse and platforms are progressing apace. Column construction, casting of suspended slabs and parapet installation at the parkade building are ongoing, with work now in progress on all eight levels of this structure.

Between Pretoria Station and Hatfield Station, a number of bridges crossing the existing PRASA railway line require to either be 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. Vegetation growth on the rail formation embankments throughout the route is responding well to the summer rains.

Tracklaying from behind Linbro Park towards OR Tambo International Airport commenced at the end of April and has progressed steadily eastwards. At the end of November, installation of twin-track railway lines was in progress along the entire length of the route up to ORTIA Station.

VIADUCT 13 OVER CENTENARY WAY, MODDERFONTEIN

Viaduct 13 is complete and railway lines and overhead catenaries have been installed across this structure.

VIADUCT 14 OVER ZUURFONTEIN ROAD AND RAILWAY LINE

Viaduct 14 is complete and railway lines and overhead catenaries have been installed across this structure.

VIADUCT 15 INCLUDING RHODESFIELD STATION


CONSTRUCTION OF RHODESFIELD STATION ON VIADUCT 15


CONSTRUCTION OF THE RHODESFIELD STATION PLATFORMS ON TOP OF VIADUCT 15

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 railway lines and overhead catenaries have been installed across 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.

The platform structure, concourse and platform roof at Rhodesfield Station are complete and rail tracks have been installed through the station. Platform accesses and erection of the structural steel concourse roof are substantially complete, escalators have been positioned and installation of equipment in the technical rooms is in progress. Roof cladding to the concourse is complete, floor and wall tiling within this area are well advanced and installation of the glazed facades is ongoing.

Parking area construction is ongoing and construction of the attenuation pond is in progress.

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 is ongoing and installation of railway lines through the new station is in progress.

VIADUCT 15 INCLUDING OR TAMBO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT STATION


CONSTRUCTION OF THE OR TAMBO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT STATION PLATFORMS ON TOP OF VIADUCT 15


FINISHING WORKS INSIDE THE OR TAMBO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT STATION CONCOURSE

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. Ticket vending machines and fare gates have been installed and are being tested.

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 emergency access stairs located at the ends on the platform is ongoing.

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.

www.gautrain.co.za

[The E.N.D]

GAUTRAIN ON VIADUCT 15 AT OR TAMBO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT STATION.

[The E.N.D]

On one of its many test runs from the airport.

Originally Posted by thehein

[city_thing]

Everything about this project seems huge. Huge tunnels, massive station pits etc.

Are there any more station renders? Will Joburg Park Station be the 'main' station and connect up to Joburg's other rail lines?

[Pule]

nope, the main one seem to be Marlboro. I thought Park Station will be the one as well as there are plans for International Transit and Shopping Centre which is going to change the face of Johannesburg for good. Please read about International Transit and Shopping Centre here http://www.joburg.org.za/content/view/2126/49/




Here are some renders...



Park Station






Rosebank






Midrand





O.R. Tambo International





Hatfiled, I don't like the brick they used for parking lot...





Rhodesfield





Centuriin, my favourate...







Sandton






Pretoria





Marlboro

[The E.N.D]

Midrand Station today
image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr


Uploaded on February 8, 2010
by The E.N.D

[Inertia]

Sandton station is the "main" station

[The E.N.D]

FEBRUARY UPDATE

A) SOUTHERN SECTION
1. Underground section
All tunnel excavation – a total length of approximately 15.5 kilometers from Park Station to Marlboro Portal – was completed in September 2009. Civil works and tracklaying within the tunnels between the Portal and Sandton Station are complete and installation of associated electrical and mechanical infrastructure is well advanced. Within the remaining tunnel section to Park Station, civil works, including final lining, invert slabs, cable duct installation and walkways, are ongoing
The underground works also include the construction of seven emergency access shafts located at intervals along the single-track rail tunnel between Park Station and Sandton Station. 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. Construction works are ongoing at each of these emergency access shafts.
PARK STATION

Construction of the Johannesburg Park Station adjacent multi-level parkade

Tiling and finishing works inside the Johannesburg Park Station concourse

At the underground station, the roof slab, concourse slab and the platforms are all substantially complete. Internal brickwork and plastering is well advanced at both concourse and platform levels. Wall tiling and mechanical and electrical (M&E) installations are ongoing. At the parkade structure, three of the six levels of deck slabs have been cast.
Reinstatement of Wolmarans Street is complete and this was opened to traffic on 16 January 2010. Preparations for the reinstatement of utilities and roadworks at Smit Street have commenced.
EMERGENCY ACCESS SHAFT E1 (HILLBROW)
Construction works in the safe haven and technical rooms located at the bottom of this shaft are ongoing and construction of the surface head house structure will commence shortly.
EMERGENCY ACCESS SHAFT E2 (THE WILDS, HOUGHTON)
Construction works in the safe haven and technical rooms located at the bottom of this shaft are ongoing.
EMERGENCY ACCESS SHAFT E3 (RIVIERA)
Shaft construction works are complete. The head house structure on the surface is well advanced and M&E installations are in progress. 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)
Shaft construction works are complete. The head house structure on the surface is well advanced and M&E installations will commence shortly. Like E3, being a shallow shaft with direct access to the surface, there is no safe haven necessary at the bottom of this shaft.

Construction of the head house structure over Emergency Shaft 4 in Houghton

Construction of the head house structure over Emergency Shaft 4 in Houghton

ROSEBANK STATION
Backfilling over the station top slab and the adjacent cut and cover at the northern end is in progress. Reinstatement of Oxford Road above the station structure will follow in the next few months. Platform structures, brickwork and plastering are all substantially complete and painting and plumbing at both platform and concourse levels are well advanced. Wall tiling within the station is ongoing. Elevators have been positioned within the station box and M&E installations are in progress.
At the parkade structure, located on corner of Oxford Road and Baker Street, columns and beams to the first floor of the parking deck are in progress.

Backfilling of the area on top of the Rosebank Station roofslab in preparation of the re-instatement of Oxford Road

Construction of the Rosebank Station concourse with the ticket office in the background

EMERGENCY ACCESS SHAFT E5 (DUNKELD, ROSEBANK)
Construction of the safe haven and technical rooms located at the bottom of this shaft are in progress.
EMERGENCY ACCESS SHAFT E6 (ILLOVO)
Construction of the technical rooms located at the bottom of this shaft is ongoing.
EMERGENCY ACCESS SHAFT E7 (WESTERN SIDE OF RIVONIA ROAD, SANDTON)
Construction of the technical rooms located at the bottom of this shaft is ongoing.
SANDTON STATION
Underground station construction works are well advanced in the cavern section between the south and north shafts, as well as within the shafts themselves. These works include 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. Mechanical and Electrical (M&E) installations are in progress and the escalators that will transport commuters between the station entrance and the underground platforms have been installed. Tracklaying within the station is complete and tiling of platforms has commenced. Erection of the structural steelwork frame that will form the station entrance structure located on the corner of Rivonia Road and West Street commenced at the end of January.
Construction of the adjacent multi-level parkade structure, is progressing apace.

Tile work and construction of commuter platforms at Sandton Station

Tunnel from Marlboro Portal at Sandton Station

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 were completed during 2009. The shaft was subsequently backfilled and the community park was reinstated, landscaped and upgraded.
The aerial balloon facility that has recently been established in the park is nothing to do with the Gautrain project – this is an independent arrangement entered into between the City of Johannesburg Parks Department and an unrelated commercial enterprise.
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 complete and the installation of associated railway infrastructure, such as signalling and communications, is well advanced.
2. Surface alignment
VIADUCTS 1A AND 11 OVER JUKSKEI RIVER AND EAST BANK ROAD
Viaducts 1A and 11, which are located between the Portal and Marlboro Station and carry the railway lines across the Jukskei River and East Bank Drive, are both complete and the rest of the construction works and railway installations in this area are also substantially complete, apart from some finishing works and landscaping.
MARLBORO STATION
At Marlboro Station, internal finishes – including floor and wall tiling and painting - are well advanced, as is glazing of the external walls of the concourse and over-platform links. Tiling of the platforms has recently commenced.
Railway tracks have been laid through the station and installation of associated railway equipment is ongoing.
Externally, works continue at the bus terminal, with kerb laying on the parking deck and construction of the boundary around the station site also in progress.

Testing of the electronic display boards at Marlboro Station

Installation of the ticket vending machines at Marlboro Station

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 advanced. This facility is located in the area that was occupied by the precast yard, which was dismantled a few months ago. Construction of the bus workshop, canteen, gatehouse, bus wash facility, fuel bay and apron slabs is ongoing, together with refurbishment of the admin building previously utilized as site offices.
RAIL YARD AND TRACKWORKS
All trackwork and the stabling sidings within the Depot area are complete, energized and operational.
On the mainline sections, trackworks are complete from Sandton Station to ORTIA on the East-West Line and to Dale Road in Midrand on the North-South Line. Other than in the tunnels, these lines are energized and operational.
Whilst dynamic testing of trains has been underway for the past year on the approximately 7 km long 'test track' section of the route from behind Linbro Park to Midrand, testing of trains has recently also commenced on the airport link.
Tracklaying from Dale Road northwards commenced in November last year and had progressed to just north of Midrand Station by the end of January.

Temporary butt-welding yard on the alignment between Midrand and Centurion Station

Track laying vehicle on the alignment between Midrand and Centurion Station

RAIL CAR ASSEMBLY AND TESTING
By the end of January, 49 of the 96 rail cars had been delivered to the Depot. This equates to 12 complete four-car trains.
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 were delivered to the Depot during the first half of 2009.
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.
Dynamic testing of train sets continues on the 7km test track adjacent to the Depot and, since the beginning of January, on the East-West lines to ORTIA.
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 items and completion of landscaping 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 are well advanced, roof cladding to the platforms is substantially complete and is ongoing over the concourse. Interior tiling and finishing works, together with M&E installations, are ongoing. Platforms are substantially complete and platform tiling will commence in the next few weeks, Tracklaying through the station is in progress.
Retaining walls, earthworks and drainage for the parking areas are well advanced and layerworks and surfacing are ongoing
From Midrand Station to the Technopark area at Centurion, civil works are approaching completion. Completion of fencing, landscaping and finishing works are ongoing. Catenary masts have bee erected along most of this section and tracklaying is in progressing northwards from Midrand Station.

Construction of Midrand Station on top of Grand Central Bridge

Construction of the Midrand Station concourse and ticket offices

VIADUCT 4 OVER RIETSPRUIT AND OLIFANTSFONTEIN ROAD SOUTH
Viaduct 4 is complete and is ready for the installation of railway lines and associated railway infrastructure.
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.
A significant achievement during January this year was the completion of the final span at the southern end of Viaduct 5c, which is now linked to the balanced cantilever viaduct at John Vorster interchange. At the northern end of Viaduct 5c, where construction of the two remaining piers is in progress, erection of the ten remaining deck spans will continue once these piers have been completed.

Construction of the in-situ balanced cantilever deck sections for Viaduct 5 at John Vorster Avenue

Construction of the in-situ balanced cantilever deck sections for Viaduct 5 at Jean Avenue

Construction of the in-situ balanced cantilever deck sections at both the John Vorster and Jean Avenue Viaducts continues to progress steadily. Completion of the remaining span sections at both of these exceptionally graceful structures will be achieved during the second quarter of this year.

Construction of Centurion Station at Viaduct 5

Construction of the Centurion Station platform on top of Viaduct 5

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. Erection of the precast platforms and parapets atop the viaduct is complete and platform roof cladding is well advanced. Station building works, platform access stairs and lift shaft construction are all substantially complete. The structural steel curtain wall framing to the concourse area is in progress. Finishing trades within the concourse have commenced and mechanical and electrical installations within the technical rooms are ongoing. Earthworks and dynamic compaction of the parking area continue and layer works are in progress.
VIADUCT 6 OVER EEUFEES ROAD
At Viaduct 6, piling at the southern abutment is ongoing and four of the six deck spans have been completed.
VIADUCT 7 OVER NELSON MANDELA BOULEVARD
Construction of this viaduct is progressing apace. The deck to the section that will carry the railway lines across Nelson Mandela Boulevard is well advanced and parapet erection is in progress. Pier and trestle beam construction for the remaining sections of this “Y-shaped” structure that will cross over the existing railway lines is ongoing, together with placing of the M-beams for the bridge decks.
PRETORIA STATION
At Pretoria Station, concrete and building works, as well as the platform and concourse roof cladding, are substantially complete. Curtain wall framing and glazing are approaching completion and internal finishing works are ongoing. Mechanical and electrical installations have commenced. Parking area construction has started and refurbishing of the historically significant coach washing shed, that has been incorporated into the station design, will commence shortly.

Tiling and finishing works inside the Pretoria Station concourse

Construction of the Pretoria Station platforms

HATFIELD STATION
Structural works for the concourse slab being constructed over the future platforms are progressing apace, as does construction of the adjacent parkade structure, where most of the final eighth level deck had cast by month end.
Between Pretoria Station and Hatfield Station, a number of bridges crossing the existing PRASA railway line require to either be widened or lengthened to accommodate the adjacent Gautrain tracks. Whilst most of these bridges have already been completed and reopened to traffic, works on the remaining structures are ongoing. Extensive lateral support works in cuttings, together with the earthworks and construction of the retaining structures necessary to widen the existing embankments, are ongoing.

Construction of the adjacent multi-story parkade at Hatfield Station

Structural works for the construction of Hatfield Station concourse and platform

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. Remaining works are limited to some final finishings and completion of landscaping in certain areas.
Trackworks and associated railway infrastructure are also complete, with this section of the route now energized and operational.
VIADUCT 13 OVER CENTENARY WAY, MODDERFONTEIN
Viaduct 13 is complete, with the railway lines across this structure now in use.
VIADUCT 14 OVER ZUURFONTEIN ROAD AND RAILWAY LINE
Viaduct 14 is complete, with the railway lines across this structure now in use.
VIADUCT 15 INCLUDING RHODESFIELD STATION
Rhodesfield Station is positioned approximately one third of the way along Viaduct 15, directly above the existing PRASA railway lines running between Isando and Kempton Park. The platforms are elevated, with the station entrance, concourse and parking area located at ground level, on the eastern side of the existing railway lines.
Construction of the station is approaching completion. The platforms, access ways and the station buildings are all substantially complete. Internal finishes are well advanced and technical equipment and M&E installations are ongoing. Platform tiling will commence shortly. Railway tracks have been laid through the station and the lines are in use. Externally, the attenuation pond is complete and parking area construction is well advanced and ongoing.
Immediately adjacent to the Gautrain station, the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) continues with construction of a new station on its system. This will provide commuters with a convenient transfer link between the Gautrain and PRASA systems. Construction of the PRASA station foundations and columns is ongoing and installation of railway lines through the new station is in progress.
Viaduct 15 is complete, with the railway lines across this structure now in use.

Construction of the Rhodesfield Station at Viaduct 15

Installation of the ticket vending machines at Rhodesfield Station

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 substantially complete, as are electrical and mechanical installations. Ticket vending machines and fare gates have been installed and are being tested. Public address systems have been installed.
Externally, the platform structures and canopies are substantially complete, with platform tiling to commence shortly. Rail tracks have been installed through the station. Construction of the three sets emergency access stairs located at the ends on the platform is ongoing.

Testing of the Gautrain, trains arriving at OR Tambo International Airport Station

Installed fare gates at OR Tambo International Airport Station

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.

Source : www.gautrain.co.za

[The E.N.D]

Latest aerial pics

Train depot and test tack near Midrand

Marlboro station with the N3 underpass towards the airport

Johannesburg Park station - the parkade is clearly visible on the opposite side of Smit Street. Metrorail station is just next to the Gautrain station.

Rosebank station. Back filling has started and the parkade is visible in the foreground.

Rosebank station parkade

Sandton station parkade with construction shafts to the underground station

Mushroom Farm Park, Sandton. Gautrain's temporary construction shaft was dismantled and the park was restored to its former glory

Gautrain visible on the line towards the airport

Viaduct/bridge towards the airport station

Rhodesfield station, Kempton park, is situated just over 1km from the airport. On the right is a new PRASA/Metrorail station being built.

Midrand station and parking area

Viaduct/bridge over John Vorster interchange, Centurion

Line towards Pretoria station and then the bridge over Nelson Mandela Boulevard towards Hatfield

Line towards Pretoria station and then the bridge over Nelson Mandela Boulevard towards Hatfield

Hatfield station with its parkade visible

Viaduct/bridge towards Centurion station

Centurion station

Midrand station

[The E.N.D]

image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr


Uploaded on February 21, 2010
by The E.N.Dimage hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr

image hosted on flickr

[The E.N.D]

The stations :
Park Station (Johannesburg CBD)



Centurion Station (Centurion)


Hatfield Station (northern Pretoria)


Marlboro Station (N3/Marlboro Drive interchange)


Midrand Station (Midrand)


OR Tambo International Station (ORTIA)


Pretoria Station (Pretoria CBD)


Rhodesfield Station (west of OR Tambo International Airport)


Sandton Station (Sandton CBD)

[FazilLanka]

It is amazing to see so many new constructions out here

[The E.N.D]

Pic from Niger1.com

[The E.N.D]

Photo updates from the Gautrain's Facebook gallery

Gautrain at Sandton Station platforms, being tested in the tunnel section


Construction works on platform level at Sandton Station


Construction of the structural steel roof for Sandton Station


Kerb laying on the parking deck at Marlboro Station


Installation of a electronic display board at Marlboro Station


Gautrain arriving at Rhodesfield Station


Ticket vending machines and ticket office, Rhodesfield Station


Bus canopy structures in front of Rhodesfield Station. Gautrain parked at platforms


Airport station platforms


Airport station concourse


Escalators leading from the airport's international arrivals in the central terminal building to the Gautrain station above



Fare gate for reading electronic smart card tickets. Ticket office in the back.


Passenger information display boards, airport station


Johannesburg Park Station tunnel portal for the underground section of the route


Construction of the ventilation rooms on the northern side of Smit Street at Johannesburg Park Station


Installation of jet fans in the ventilation rooms at Rosebank Station


Installation of technical equipment at Rosebank Station


Construction of the Rosebank Station cut and cover towards the Tunnel Boring Machine portal


Rosebank Station platforms


Backfilling of the roof slab over the station box at Rosebank Station, next to the Zone, Oxford Road. Pedestrian bridge visible in the back.


Midrand station track laying


Stairs to Midrand station concourse


Bus canopy and walkway structural steelwork erection at Midrand Station.


Ticket offices, Midrand Station


Exterior view of Midrand station with stair cases leading to the platforms above


Windows at the Centurion Station, West Street facade


Internal finishes for the Centurion Station concourse. Ticket offices and stairs to platforms above


Centurion Station platforms


Construction of the Gautrain concourse slab over the existing Metrorial/PRASA railway reserve. Gautrain station parkade is on the right.

[hans280]

It does look very nice E.N.D. and as a lover of, shall we say, progress through infrastructure I would certainly congratulate South Africa. But... one burning question: is this going to be ready in time for the Football World Cup?

I ask this question not because I'm a "fetischist" about sports events, but rather because the railway press here in France where I live has begun to take a very negative editorial line. The Chinese (said a magazine last month) managed to build four subway lines with a total 54 stations in less than five years from start to finish in preparation of the Beijing Olympics. The South Africans (again, I'm quoting) are hard pressed to finish one surface railway line from the airport to the norther suburbs of Johannesburg. I don't want to believe in this. So...

...please, PLEASE, someone tell me the French press is wrong.

[signol]

Originally Posted by hans280

It does look very nice E.N.D. and as a lover of, shall we say, progress through infrastructure I would certainly congratulate South Africa. But... one burning question: is this going to be ready in time for the Football World Cup?

I ask this question not because I'm a "fetischist" about sports events, but rather because the railway press here in France where I live has begun to take a very negative editorial line. The Chinese (said a magazine last month) managed to build four subway lines with a total 54 stations in less than five years from start to finish in preparation of the Beijing Olympics. The South Africans (again, I'm quoting) are hard pressed to finish one surface railway line from the airport to the norther suburbs of Johannesburg. I don't want to believe in this. So...

...please, PLEASE, someone tell me the French press is wrong.

From my understanding, the Gautrain project was never intended to be part of the World Cup. The construction company offered to speed up construction in order to be ready in time for the WC, but wanted too much extra money for it... Hopefully, at least the JNB - Sandton line will be ready in time anyway.

signol

[The E.N.D]

Precisely.

Originally Posted by hans280

It does look very nice E.N.D. and as a lover of, shall we say, progress through infrastructure I would certainly congratulate South Africa. But... one burning question: is this going to be ready in time for the Football World Cup?

I ask this question not because I'm a "fetishist" about sports events, but rather because the railway press here in France where I live has begun to take a very negative editorial line. The Chinese (said a magazine last month) managed to build four subway lines with a total 54 stations in less than five years from start to finish in preparation of the Beijing Olympics. The South Africans (again, I'm quoting) are hard pressed to finish one surface railway line from the airport to the norther suburbs of Johannesburg. I don't want to believe in this. So...

...please, PLEASE, someone tell me the French press is wrong.

Like signol said,the Gautrain is not and has never been a World Cup project.The project itself has been on the cards since the early 2000s but wasn't included in our World Cup bid.The consortium responsible for construction did offer to speed up construction on the ORTIA-Sandton line for a ridiculous amount of money and the provincial government flat out refused citing more pressing social expenses.The China comparism is just downright unfair,a few nations can hold a candle to its capital and manpower.

In any case,the Gautrain Management Agency now says the line will be ready.

Laduma for Gautrain as service is set to kick off on June 8
By: Irma Venter
10th March 2010

Phase one of the Gautrain rapid-rail link, stretching from OR Tambo International Airport to Sandton station, will be ready for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, says Gautrain Management Agency (GMA) CEO Jack van der Merwe.

"The document is on my table, all I need to do is sign it. We are 99,99% there. We should be able to carry passengers, at the latest, on June 8."

This follows months of negotiations between the GMA, representing the Gauteng provincial government, and Bombela, the consortium responsible for building the Gautrain, on the costs and implications of accelerating construction to enable the system's operational readiness ahead of the original phase one completion date in July.

At some point the cost of fast-tracking construction was calculated at R1,3-billion, which the Gauteng provincial government then declined as it was viewed as too expensive.

Bombela then presented an alternative solution, with a reduced scope to the service (such as incomplete parking facilities at Sandton station for example) which could be made ready at no additional cost, which GMA has now accepted.

Gauteng premier Nomvula Mokonyane earlier indicated that having the Gautrain ready for the 2010 World Cup "would be a bonus".

Van der Merwe says GMA is now able to provide Mokonyane with the bonus of having an operational airport rail service ahead of the June 11 kick-off, at no additional cost - 'now or later' - to the R25,4-billion project.

Tickets for the World Cup between Sandton and the airport are to be priced at roughly R100.

http://www.engineeringnews.co.za/art...e-8-2010-03-10

[hans280]

Thanks for the good news! OK, so the Gautrain was not formally part of the World Cup bid, but you must admit that it would have looked silly if it had been readied three months after the big event. I can understand, though, why some people in SA have had some socially-based objections to the project: 100 Rand for a ticket from the Airport to Sandton? That would be pretty stiff even in the richest countries of the world, and it must be unattainable for many poor people in Gauteng.

Originally Posted by The E.N.D

The China comparism is just downright unfair,a few nations can hold a candle to its capital and manpower.

I agree that China is a special case. One might throw back at the French that the Chinese are about to complete a highspeed network, in less than five years, which is longer and faster than what the French have managed since 1982.

That said, there's also a "regional" aspect to this: South Korea does not have a command economy and they too complete infrastructure projects with the speed of summer lightning. In their case it's not just about holding a candle to the manpower. The rumour has it that the Director General in charge of building the highway from Seoul to Pusan (a former army general...) slept in his office for almost two years in order not to let the project out of sight.