Turner & Townsend to manage expansion at Gautrain station

The duration of the construction project is approximately 12 months with anticipated completion by mid 2016.

Bombela says the expansion of the Gautrain station platform at the OR Tambo station will allow the current horizontal two-car system for the airport line to be increased to at least four rail cars. The airport platform extension works will inevitably increase system capacity and forms part of a medium to long term plan to attract more users onto the Gautrain system.

Minimum activity

Noluthando Molao, associate director of Turner & Townsend, says construction itself will be carried out with pre-cast elements and with the establishment of a storage area for materials close by, in order to minimise activity on site. An interesting aspect of the project is that the tower crane to be used on site is one of the biggest in the country, which can lift 32 tons at a radius of 27.8m and can pick up a maximum load of 20.6 tons at a radius of 40m.

"One of the key challenges of the project is that the trains must be fully operational at all times to ensure there is no disruption to the Gautrain service. Coupled with this, the construction is being carried out at approximately 18 metres above ground level, with the access road directly beneath the construction site needing to remain operational as an airport entry point. What makes the construction more challenging is that the crane can only operate from one side of the viaduct structure and safety will be a key priority," Molao explains.

"Furthermore, the close proximity of the City Lodge parking facility right next to the construction site presents another challenge. Noise and dust will be minimised with most of the work being completed off site and the use of acoustic boards, while construction will only be undertaken during specific times as agreed.

Safety and security

"Given the issue of cable theft, the safety and security management systems require that the highest security measures are in place at all times."

The design and construction in terms of the project incorporates a number of aspects which include extending the existing roof canopy, and - with the use of pre-cast concrete slabs - horizontally increasing either side of the platform as well as extending the platform length by a total of 55 metres. In addition, the concrete parapet wall will be extended and two fire escape towers constructed.