Gauteng SDI Rail Link - Gautrain

224. PROJECT CONCEPT AND SCOPE4.1 PURPOSE OF THE GAUTENG SDI RAIL LINKThe Gauteng SDI Rail Link Project deals with the planning and provision of amodern rail link between Pretoria, Johannesburg and JohannesburgInternational Airport. These three areas are the main centres to be includedin the project, but the study will investigate the inclusion of other importantcentres, mainly between the above main centres, but also outside thebackbone system and even the Study Area, if found to be appropriate.This project will investigate the utilisation of appropriate and tested state-oftheart modern technology, that can provide an excellent and acceptableservice to the passenger, at competitive travel times and speeds, andaffordable to both the passenger and government. Comfort, safety andsecurity, and accessibility are some of the aspects that will be given highpriority.As an SDI project it will also have the strategic objective of promotingeconomic growth, development and employment creation.4.2 THE STUDY AREAThe Study Area broadly comprises the triangular geographic area betweenPretoria, Johannesburg and Johannesburg International Airport (JIA), asgraphically shown in Figure 3. Apart from the three main centres mentionedabove, the Study Area includes important nodes such as Sandton, Alexandra,Kempton Park, Midrand, Tembisa and Centurion. It contains 4 SDI’s, of whichthe SDI Rail Link is one. There are therefore 6 SDI’s outside the Study Area.Gauteng SDI Rail Link – Inception Report, 15 June 2000