|
South Africa: Transport Month to Focus of 2010 Infrastructure
Michael Appel
Johannesburg
The 2010 FIFA World Cup and its associated transport infrastructure requirements
will take centre stage during this year's Transport Month.
"I'm honoured by the presence of many who have worked tirelessly
to propel the transport system towards its readiness for the 2010 FIFA
World Cup," said Transport Minister Jeff Radebe, during the launch
of the Transport Month at OR Tambo International Airport, Tuesday.
The minister followed by other dignitaries and media took a tour of the
newly built International Arrivals terminal at OR Tambo International
Airport.
The airport, which is the largest point of entry into South Africa for
the world cup, is in the process of undergoing significant changes. The
many changes have already been felt by travellers visiting the airport.
"Our presence here today is also an important step in our readiness
for 2010. The OR Tambo International Airport is a shining example of our
accelerated preparation for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
"Airports Company South Africa [ACSA] has continuously drawn up plans
which will enable South Africa's airports to handle the mega influx of
air traffic, passengers and airfreight not only for the 2010 event but
also for the projected growth and development projections.
"Air traffic in South Africa will be in excess of 45 million passengers
per annum by 2012 from the current 32.8 million," explained Mr Radebe.
As a result of the expected influx of tourists and football fanatics for
next years FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the department
is investing R20 billion to upgrade and develop the country's airports.
The minister also toured the construction site for the new Central Terminal
Building.
"The Central Terminal Building has reached 70 percent completion,
in spite of the fact that the central terminal building is perhaps the
largest single project ASCA has ever embarked upon.
"This terminal building is designed to give passengers a smooth and
uninterrupted travel experience and is set to provide the international
terminal capacity required for the efficient facilitation of passengers.
"In addition, four 90 meter baggage carousels are also being developed
to adequately cater for any type of aircraft including the new Airbus
A380," he said.
The central terminal building will create a link between the current domestic
building and the existing international terminals.
The Transport Month campaign will be used to test the transport systems
in the host cities, because those are the systems that underpin the country's
world cup readiness and the legacy that the government aims to leave behind
for future development.
The minister also announced that just two weeks before the world cup is
scheduled to begin, a stretch of the Gautrain route between OR Tambo and
the Sandton station, including two stations in between and the Midrand
operations centre will be opened.
"This will be a crucial segment of the routs, as the majority of
football fans visiting the country will enter through OR Tambo International
Airport," Mr Radebe said.
allafrica.com,
30 September 2008
|
|
