A Royal venue in Rustenburg

Construction work at the Royal Bafokeng stadium in Rustenburg will be completed by the end of this month. The upgraded grandstand, which includes a new iconic roof was completed early this month, with seat installation close to completion. The venue which has hosted major international events from Tri-nations rugby matches to exhibition football events will continue with landscaping works and general urban improvements for the next few months.

The venue capcity has been increase to approximately 45,000, and will host the British Lions this June. A test event is also being planned to take place next month. An inspection conducted by FIFA this month highlighted the state of readiness in Rustenburg and the North West province. With the Confederations Cup in a few months, this venue has comfortably met its deadlines. The total cost of the project is R360 million.

Image credits: tadpolefarm, City of Rustenburg

Durban: An airport fit for a King

The new King Shaka International Airport being constructed at La Mercy in Durban has been in planning since the 70's. Capacity constraints and the restrictive location of the current Durban International Airport have brought about the need for a new international airport and trade port that will be able to serve Durban and the province for generations to come.

The state of the art airport has a capacity of over 7 million and the project vision is now being realized as construction progresses at a rapid pace. All milestones set have been met including those for the tower, cargo and terminal building. The manufacture of all 16 passenger boarding bridges has been completed.The terminal floor plan has also been approved which involved in-depth discussions and proper co¬ordination with stakeholders and possible tenants of office space within the terminal.

The airport is set to be fully operational by early May 2010 and is another major infrastructure project prioritized and being realized due to the 2010 FIFA World CupTM.



Image credits: www.dubetradeport.co.za, ACSA

Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium: 27 of 33

The good news is that Nelson Mandela Bay stadium is on track to meet its June 2009 deadline when it will host the British Lions. Construction at the stadium is reaching its final stages with roof girders being lifted into place at quite some pace. The roof consists of steel girders wrapped in a PTFE membrane and aluminium cladding, combining to form a spectacular landmark for the friendly city. 27 of the 33 girders which form the roof structure are now in place.

Landscaping and paving has also started around the stadium, with roads being closed and fences being moved to accommodate the earthworks.

Image credits: Firefly Africa

Fireworks at the arch

Durban's iconic Moses Mabhida stadium remains well on track to meet the end of year FIFA deadline. A spectacular fireworks display marked the official completion of the stadium arch, the longest of its kind in the world. Engineers completed the arch at the end of January when the last of the 60ton segments forming the Y-shaped arch was slotted into place.

The arch will provide support from above for the 46,000 sqm fabric stadium roof. The roof will be suspended from the arch by steel cables and secured around the perimeter of the stadium by a compression ring, which was completed last year.

The stadium is approximately 60% complete with the final completion date set for October 30th 2009.

Image credits: www.shine2010.co.za, Durbanvibes

Cape Town International Airport: A glassy affair

Terminal 2010 at Cape Town International Airport remains on schedule for its 2009 completion date. The large and imposing structure has risen up rapidly over the last year or so and provides an awesome view as one approaches the airport. From the rendering above, its appears to be wrapped in glass with a wing like roof structure forming the grand entrance. The entire project consists of the following:

	A new terminal building (R1.5 billion)
	A new retail mall (R60 million)
	Elevated road
	Additional passenger parking
	Air side parking

400 of the 4,000 new parking bays at the new multi-storey parkade were opened in December 2008 with more parking bays to be opened as the project progresses. A new BRT link from the Airport to the City Centre will be in place before June 2010. In addition an express rail link, including elevated portions, from CTIA to the City Centre is currently being planned for completion by 2012.

Image credits: Annman, Blueprint Architects
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Green Point Stadium : The "big lift" complete after 9 days

Green Point stadium is another step closer to completion as the inner ring of the roof has been raised.

The inner Tension Ring was installed by using 72 hydraulic jacks that tightened the 72 cables connecting the inner and outer rings of the roof.

The next phase now is the positioning of steel trusses, the installation of the 9000 pieces that make up the glass roof and the attachment of a fabric membrane below the roof. The roof is schedule for completion in September.

Work on the PTFE mesh facade will start soon. A total of close to 80 days has already been cut from the initial contractual completion date.