Gautrain’s Ambitious Expansion to Enhance Connectivity Across Key Gauteng Suburbs
New Gautrain Route: The Gautrain Management Agency has unveiled an ambitious plan to extend Gauteng’s rapid rail network by 67 kilometres, introducing eight new stations across three corridors. This expansion aims to enhance connectivity and reduce congestion in key areas, including Fourways, Sunninghill, and Cosmo City.
Three New Corridors
- Little Falls to Jabulani (Soweto): This corridor will feature new stations at Roodepoort and Jabulani, improving access between these communities.
- Cosmo City to Lanseria: Stations at Cradle and Lanseria will serve this route, facilitating travel to the planned Lanseria Smart City.
- Cosmo City to Samrand via Fourways and Sunninghill: This 30.3 km corridor will introduce stations at Fourways, Sunninghill, Olievenhoutbosch, and Samrand, significantly improving transit options in these bustling areas.
Station Highlights
- Fourways Station: Initially planned opposite Fourways Mall on Witkoppen Road, the station’s location has been shifted east of Winnie Mandela Drive along Witkoppen, near Montecasino, to utilize available vacant land and minimize residential disruption.
- Sunninghill Station: The optimal site is identified at the back corner of Leeuwkop Prison along the M9 (Main Road), in the Barbeque Downs area. An alternative location along Van Der Bijl Avenue is also under consideration.
- Lanseria Station: Planned to be situated north of the existing car park, this station will be farther from the terminal building than initially proposed, offering more room for commercial development.
Project Phases and Design
The expansion is divided into multiple phases:
- Phase 1: Extends from Sandton Station to Little Falls via Cosmo City.
- Phase 2, 4, and 5: Encompass the newly proposed corridors, with a mix of at-grade, bridge/viaduct, and tunnel sections to accommodate environmental and geological considerations.
Public Participation and Future Steps
The Draft Route Determination Report, detailing the proposed routes and station locations, is open for public review and comment until March 31, 2025. Stakeholders, including municipalities and affected parties, are encouraged to submit their feedback to influence the final route determinations.
This extensive expansion of the Gautrain network represents a significant investment in Gauteng’s public transport infrastructure, aiming to enhance connectivity, reduce traffic congestion, and support economic growth in the region.
Note: Visual representations of the proposed routes and station locations can be found in the Draft Route Determination Report available on the Gautrain Management Agency’s website.
Also read: Why Traffic Jams Happen Out of Nowhere – The Science Behind ‘Shockwave Traffic’
