Atkins completes SA rail project in time for Fifa Cup

Atkins, the architectural firm, said that construction has completed on the initial phase of Gautrain in Johannesburg, South Africa's first high-speed modern rail line, which opens today.

The firm has been working on the project for an international consortium since 2005, and the project is the biggest civil engineering project in Africa as well as the largest underground railway presently under construction in the southern hemisphere.

Atkins was responsible for the design of 15km of new tunnels beneath central Johannesburg, three new underground stations, a new tunnel portal at Marlboro, seven emergency intervention shafts, designs for the permanent way and alignment for the entire route.

"Atkins developed an innovative and low carbon ventilation approach to alleviate the need to air condition public spaces within the underground stations, representing a carbon emission saving of 9,200 tonnes per annum," the firm said in a statement.

The initial services available for the World Cup include a train service linking stations at Sandton, Marlboro, Rhodesfield and the OR Tambo International Airport as well as bus routes from Sandton and Rhodesfield stations.