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BEST
PR
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JECTS
19
DECEMBER • 2016
This allowed one track to remain
operational whilst the overhead traction
equipment was transferred from an
existing mast support to the future roof
support position.
During construction the section of
catenary from the ORTIA departure
building to the second OHTE mast had
to be removed. The horizontal tension
force in the catenary after the second
mast therefore had to be resisted.
OR TAMBO GAUTRAIN PLATFORM EXTENSION
Project information
• Company entering: Stefanutti
Stocks Civils
• Client: Bombela Concession
Company
• Start date: 30 May 2015
• End date: 23 May 2016
• Main contractor: Stefanutti
Stocks Civils
• Principal agent: Bombela
Concession Company
• Project manager: Turner and
Townsend
• Quantity surveyor: Stefanutti
Stocks Civils
• Consulting engineer SMEC
South Africa
• Subcontractor: Tass
Engineering
• Subcontractor: ITAL Concrete
• Project value: R80-million
The GRRL was developed as a public private partnership
concession and includes a 15-year maintenance and operation
period after completion of construction. This concession was
awarded to the Bombela Concession Company (BCC).
As part of the maintenance and operation of the Gautrain
system, the BCC recognised the need to extend the station
at ORTIA in order to allow for better commuter access at this
location. The design and construction of the station extension
contract for ORTIA was awarded to Stefanutti Stocks in April 2015.
Stefanutti Stocks employed SMEC South Africa as their design
consultant for the works.
The ORTIA station extension project’s scope of works included
the detailed design and construction of a length of approximately
55 m of extended station platform. The extension now allows
passengers access to four train carriages instead of the previous
two carriage access system.
The principal challenge between the new station installation
and the previous installation is that the current installation has
been constructed and erected whilst the Gautrain remained fully
operational. This resulted in numerous challenges for the erection
and design team.
The main challenge that was encountered was how to safely
lift the 20 t platform slabs a height of 25 m above ground level,
over the 25 kV live train line. Various options were considered by
the contractor, including the use of various mobile and fixed crane
types and even a moving vierendeel gantry frame, which would
have required a rail to be installed in the adjacent road.
The adopted solution was to use a fixed in place heavy lift
crane (the largest in Africa) which met the load and lever arm
requirements for lifting the heavy slabs into place on the southern
side of the viaduct.
In order to mitigate the risk associated with working adjacent
to a live rail line, the design of the station roof had to be revised so
that it could be installed in three sections.
This is because the construction works could only occur over
one track at a time after the OHTE had been switched off and
removed and safety hoarding had been erected between the
two tracks.
The Gautrain Rapid Rail Link (GRRL) is designed
for the rapid movement of commuters between
Johannesburg, Pretoria and the OR Tambo
International Airport (ORTIA) in Gauteng.
One of the goals during the construction period of this station
was to complete the project without impacting or changing the
environment. Changes in the environment in this project entailed,
(a) train traffic schedule, (b) cars and pedestrian working and
travelling around the construction site and (c) car users parking for
long term periods.
This goal was achieved and the construction was completed
without any incident or disruption to the environment. Nightshift
engineering work was restricted to minimum noise.
Pollution of dust was not allowed. During the demolitions,
concrete walls were soaked with water and protective shield
installed to prevent dust pollutions.
This project was executed inside the airport premises, leaving
the contractor with just ACSA and the city lodge hotel as the main
stakeholders involved.
OR Tambo is a key national point for South Africa. With
thousands of passengers from all over the world travelling or
transiting through this airport, the aesthetics and quality of
finished work was exquisite.