OVERVIEW
Transport and logistics Roads and infrastructure spending is set to increase across the province. SECTOR INSIGHT DHL Forwarding has invested in new capacity.
The infrastructure associated with large housing estates such as Steyn City is substantial, as are the roads that surround and serve the developments. Credit: Steyn City
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he Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport has a pipeline of 67 projects with a combined value of R23-billion. Of these projects, 13 – valued at R6.6-billion – are private sector initiatives and the various road, construction and design projects are expected to be implemented over the decade to 2031. Among the private companies that will be involved in projects are property companies Attacq Waterfall Investment, Steyn City and Century Properties and mining company Cullinan. A feasibility study is underway to examine extending the Gauteng Rapid Rail Integrated Network. The current network has 10 stations spread over 80km and the extension would add 146km and 19 new stations. The estimated R2-billion that was due to be spent on adding to the Gautrain’s rolling stock has been put on hold because of Covid-19. The long-term plans to expand the Gautrain network are still on course. Transnet Rail Engineering ( TRE) has a major presence in Gauteng and the metropolitan lines that ferry commuters are run by the Passenger Rail Agency (PRASA). The Wits Metrorail system serves Johannesburg and its surrounds. Park Station, in the north of the central business district, is the largest station in Africa and acts as the metropolitan hub. DHL Global Forwarding has spent R126.5-million on a new facility in the Skyparks Business Estate, located next to OR Tambo GAUTENG BUSINESS 2022
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International Airpor t. The new floorspace of 13 000m² (most of which is warehouse space) doubles the company’s current footprint. A total of 82% of South Africa’s air cargo is transported through OR Tambo International Airport and Gauteng has several cargo and freight handling facilities well-equipped to deal with rail and road deliveries and despatches. A specific goal of the Provincial Government of Gauteng is to make the Transnet Ta m b o - S p r i n g s Lo g i s t i c s Gateway the biggest inland logistics hub and dry port in Africa by 2030. The Tambo-Springs Gateway near Katlehong is an intermodal facility which can transfer containers from rail or road to storage facilities and ultimately to the customer. Existing freight rail lines run through the site and link it to the seaports of Durban, Cape Town and Ngqura (Port Elizabeth). The aim with this new facility is to improve efficiency. It is run by the Tambo Springs Development Company. The intention is to add to the port:
