Bridge City Goes Underground

Bridge City Goes Underground Commuters' public transport woes will be eased— in comfort, style and reliability— upon the completion of bridge city's underground rail station Durban's Bridge City Station, a new railway station situated underneath the popular Bridge City mixed use development, is now complete. The development–which is being linked to a bus and taxi hub—will be an intermodal transportation facility easing road congestion and providing convenient transportation for about 613,000 residents in the surrounding areas of lnanda, KwaMashu, Ntuzuma and Phoenix. Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) has significantly invested in this new generation' station—the first in a number of similar roll-outs—that will have an underground station, 3km of track and many technological and design features associated with modern world-class stations. PRASA's capital investment is about R250m on the station, which, according to its CEO Lucky Montana, will be self-funding due to the commercial developments linked to the station. He says that a crucial aim of Bridge City was to have a fully integrated transportation mechanism that will facilitate the transportation needs of citizens in areas that were not traditionally catered for. The company's new station implementation plans are on time as most of the country's commuter rail systems have reached the end of their life span after being upgraded in the 1950s, with some lines about 100 years old. PRASA is spearheading government's efforts to transform public transport in South Africa. This will realise the vision of enhancing mobility as the gateway to accessible socioeconomic opportunities and a shared future. Through upgrading and building new transport infrastructure, PRASA is ushering in a new era for public transport - one of performance, investment and accountability. This is leading to the end of historical underinvestment in the sector, while facilitating the total transformation of passenger transport in the country. A system that aims to create an integrated, intermodal transport solution that is both efficient and seamless allowing South Africans to access new socioeconomic opportunities and connect them with each other. Bridge City Station and Rail Link will be operational by the end of 2012. Project Team Client Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) Station Architects ACC ADA Engineers Arcus Gibb Project Manager Focus Project Management Quantity Surveyors LDM Consulting Main Contractors (joint venture) Grinaker-LTA Enza Construction

CR (Construction Review) 01 Oct 2011 Page 69 - 20 Oct 2011