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Members of the public can now review and submit written comments on the Draft Route Determination Report for the Soweto Extension and Cosmo City Junction of the proposed Gauteng Rapid Rail Integrated Network (GRRIN) Extensions. This follows the approval of the publishing of the draft report for public comments by the Gauteng MEC for Transport and Logistics, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, as prescribed by section 6(3) of the Gauteng Transport Infrastructure Act.

As highlighted by Premier Panyaza Lesufi during the recent State of the Province Address, this rail extensions project is a transformative initiative aimed at fostering economic growth and inclusion. The Draft Route Determination Report includes the Preliminary Route Alignment Report, which details the proposed routes and station locations for the Soweto Extension and Cosmo City Junction of the GRRIN extensions project, and an Environmental Investigation Report. The reports will be available for public review and comment, in writing, from 26 February 2025 until 31 March 2025, at www.gautengrapidrail.co.za. Hard copies of the reports can be obtained from the Gautrain Management Agency’s office by prior arrangement, email extensions@gautengrapidrail.co.za to request collection. 

The following is a broad description of the proposed route for the Soweto Extension and Cosmo City Junction:

•Little Falls Station to Jabulani Station (Soweto) through Roodepoort Station

•Cosmo City Station to Samrand Station through Fourways Station, Sunninghill Station and Olievenhoutbosch Station

•Cosmo City Station to Lanseria Station through Cradle Station and Smart City Station

Due to the magnitude and complexity of the GRRIN extensions project, it was split into five (5) phases. The route determination for Phase 1 of the proposed extensions, from the existing Gautrain Marlboro Station to Little Falls Station, commenced in October 2018 and resulted in the determination of the route by the then Gauteng MEC for Public Transport and Roads Infrastructure, Jacob Mamabolo, on 25 May 2022.

MEC Diale-Tlabela highlighted that “the GRRIN extensions project is a transformative megaproject that will serve as a key catalyst for economic growth and inclusion.”

The GRRIN extensions project forms part of proposals from Gauteng’s 25-Year Integrated Transport Master Plan; that a passenger rail network should form the backbone of the province's modernised and integrated transport system. A comprehensive Feasibility Study for Possible Rapid Rail Extensions, completed in 2016, concluded that extensions to the Gauteng rapid rail network will alleviate traffic congestion, improve connectivity and the quality of public transport, stimulate the emergence of hubs of economic activity, and facilitate sustainable growth and liveable cities.

Diale-Tlabela added that, “to tackle inequality, we need to undo apartheid spatial planning, which has scattered our communities and forced many people to live far from areas of work and opportunity. Transport connectivity does not only lead to the integration of communities and create a culture of social inclusion, but also opens up opportunities for job seekers, business, suppliers and investors.”

Route determination is the first step in the process of securing a rail reserve for a future railway line in Gauteng. It includes an exhaustive consultative process whereby all stakeholders, as well as interested and affected parties are provided with an opportunity to make written submissions in regard to the proposed route. After careful consideration of all submissions received from the stakeholders, the MEC may thereafter determine the route for the railway line.

Once the route determination is finalised, the next step will be to undertake a Preliminary Design of the future railway line, to provide further information on the impact on properties located along the proposed alignment of the railway line, conduct a full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), and undertake further consultation with all interested and affected parties.

“I urge all stakeholders, as well as interested and affected parties, to take this opportunity to make written submissions. Your feedback matters and is critical to the process,” MEC Diale-Tlabela concluded.

End

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Issued by the Gautrain Management Agency on behalf of the Gauteng MEC for Transport and Logistics.

Contact:

Lesiba Mpya
Spokesperson for the MEC for Transport and Logistics
Lesiba.Mpya@gauteng.gov.za

Albi Modise
Gautrain Management Agency, Senior Executive Manager: Communication and Marketing
albim@gautrain.co.za

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