Rail network to ease traffic in Pretoria awaiting approval

Plans to alleviate growing traffic congestion in Pretoria and Johannesburg are awaiting the approval and funding by the National Treasury.

Navigation systems company TomTom recently released an index of travel times, fuel costs and CO2 emissions in 390 cities across 56 countries around the world.

The index indicated that Pretoria is the 147th worst city in the world, first in South Africa for commuting during rush-hour traffic with a travel time of 16 min per 10km distance.

It is estimated that commuters spent two days a year in traffic in the metro.

Gautrain and Gauteng have long planned to extend the Gauteng rapid rail integrated network (GRRIN) to tackle the increasing congestion, a development expected to create more than 170 000 direct jobs through its five phases.

Phase 1 was expected to benefit commuters in Hazeldean, Eerste Fabrieke, Olievenhoutbosch and Irene in Pretoria as well as East Rand, Marlboro, Sandton, Randburg, Cosmo City and Little Falls in Johannesburg.

Gauteng MEC for roads and transport gazetted phase 1 in May 2022.

Gautrain management agency (GMA) CEO William Dachs told Rekord the feasibility study for the project has been concluded and design work for the proposed infrastructure, environmental impact assessment (EIA) as well as consultation with interested and affected parties would begin with defining the rail reserve for the future railway.

“This [the project] will be implemented as a public-private partnership (PPP) and is awaiting the necessary approvals by the provincial executive and the Treasury for funding and progressing to the procurement stage.”

He said future railway route comprised a 400m land corridor and community engagement began in July 2022 with several organised groups and residents within proximity to the proposed route making submission to the Gauteng legislature.

He said residents mainly raised concerns about land expropriation, access to essential services as well as schools during construction and that the current network did not cater to the majority.

“Once fully implemented, the proposed GRRIN extensions will result in an additional 148km of rapid rail, and 17 new stations.”

He said the cost of the project would be announced at the “appropriate time” and in keeping with 25-year Gauteng integrated transport master plan (ITMP25) commissioned to enable, province-wide mobility and societal development.

“Gauteng predicts a significant increase in traffic congestion, travel times and associated challenges including motor vehicle accidents, and greenhouse emissions,” said Dachs about the motivation for the master plan composed in 2013.

“The GRRIN extensions will therefore enable significant economic and transport-related benefits including the reduction of traffic congestion on the Provinces strategic road network.”

Spokesperson for Gauteng premier Vuyo Mhaga said the province was the most populated in South Africa and the construction and development of rail infrastructure would help ease traffic congestion on roads.

He said the province could however not reveal the cost of the project as the Treasury was yet to approve the scope of work.

Mhaga further gave insight into the Limpopo-to-Gauteng rail link Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi hinted at during his state of the province address in February 2023.

Lesufi had said the planned rail line between the two provinces would alleviate the traffic congestion that has become a major headache for commuters especially at Easter.

He said the Gauteng and Limpopo governments were discussing a new, faster and efficient rail network to link the provinces and stimulate economic growth.

“Engagement is ongoing between the two provinces.”

National Treasury had not commented at the time of publication.

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