By Clive Ndou

Gautrain project leader Jack van der Merwe has reiterated his caution against linking the completion of the multibillon-rand project to the 2010 Soccer World Cup event.

He said the crucial objective of the project was to address traffic congestion between Johannesburg and Tshwane and stimulate economic growth in the region.

Addressing the Portfolio Committee on Transport in Cape Town on Tuesday, Van der Merwe said the project could only be ready by 2010 if the tender process was finalised quickly.

“It is only after the finalisation of the tender process that the actual construction work could begin. We hope that there would not be any delays so that construction work can begin early next year and be completed by 2010,” he said.

Van der Merwe said South Africa’s bid presentation to Fifa did not put forward Gautrain as the only means of transporting soccer fans.

“While our country’s capacity to offer soccer fans an efficient transport system revolved around the successful completion of the Gautrain project, it wasn’t the only solution.

“Previous international events held in the country such as the World Summit on Sustainable Development, have demonstrated we have the capacity to set up a temporary but efficient transportation system,” he said.

He said the Gautrain project package came with 250 buses, and in the event of the train not being ready to transport passengers by 2010, these could be used to ferry soccer fans.

“While we have a moral obligation to complete the project before the start of the games, we also have plan B, in case things don’t go according to plan,” he said.

He told the committee that the project’s benefits to South Africa should be seen beyond the 2010 soccer event.

“Apart from easing traffic congestion between Johannesburg and Tshwane, the project will stimulate a massive economic growth and also create jobs,” he said.

Source: BuaNews