[Image: Wikipedia]
The City of Cape Town says that a proposed 6km rail line that would connect vital areas such as the City Centre and the Waterfront in under 10 minutes and use the Foreshore’s 40-year-old incomplete motorway would not be economically viable.
Local engineer Gareth Ramsay is, however, certain that it will work and allow PRASA to rent the land and cover the costs of operations.
In February of this year, Development Engineer Gareth Ramsay submitted a proposal to the City’s Urban Mobility Department focusing on the development of Cape Town’s incomplete motorway and Three Anchor Bay property.
Ramsay proposes constructing an elevated train line from Woodstock to Sea Point, incorporating a terminus at the Three Anchor Bay site instead of solely developing it for mixed-use. He said the rail line aims to reduce car dependency, encourage public transport, and ease traffic congestion while also providing better access to the city.
The 31-page proposal, including imagery and maps, was shared with Cape Argus by Ramsay, who said a public participation process was vital and asked residents to submit their views.
According to Ramsay’s plan, the rail line would improve access to important locations, including the CBD, Sea Point, Green Point, the Waterfront, and Cape Town Stadium.
“By improving mobility, it would help address historical inequalities, offering a cost-effective transport option that facilitates access to opportunities and popular destinations,” Ramsay said via the proposal.
“It also provides an alternative to the completion of the foreshore freeways, which would essentially make use of the city’s most valuable piece of available land for vehicular use, contradicting the city’s aim of reducing congestion within the city and making it more pedestrian-friendly.”
It would also address the problem of the unfinished motorway, which has been an eyesore, and occasional movieset, for decades. Doing something with that damned bridge remains a top priority according to the City.
The bridge’s design started in the 1960s, and construction halted in 1977 due to budget issues. A 2018 Request for Proposals was later cancelled due to legal advice. Former Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula estimated completion would cost R1.8 billion (in 2003 prices) and could be finished by 2030/31.
IOL reports that the approximately 6km line will enable travel from Woodstock Station to Sea Point in under 10 minutes, including station stops, offering safe, efficient, and affordable access to key areas such as the Foreshore, Waterfront, Green Point, and Sea Point for all city residents.
However, Councillor Rob Quintas, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, told Cape Argus that implementing an elevated rail line was not a consideration and that they were focused on their MyCiTi project.
“The City has already invested in a road-based public transport system servicing the CBD and Atlantic seaboard in the form of the MyCiTi bus service. Investment in improving existing services is more practical and cost-effective.”
We guess it’s back to the drawing board.
[Source: IOL]
