Mangaung Intermodal Transport Facility
This project was undertaken as the city of Bloemfontein recognised a need to have an intermodal transportation facility that would bring various mode of public transportation together under one roof. The client’s brief to the project team required that the development should accommodate: long haul coaches; 1,000 long and short distance taxis; local bus services and rail transportation.
Construction of the Mangaung Intermodal public transport facility as the biggest inner city regeneration project the city of Mangaung has ever undertaken, is progressing well and will be a tremendous asset to the city as well as the daily commuters.
Braam Greeff of Incline Architects says of the design process, “It was in itself a challenge as this was a new building typology and there were not precendents for such a building in South Africa or the world for that matter. We had to visit similar transport hubs in Johannesburg and other cities and combine the best practices from them.”
The result, is a multi-storey facility consisting of ground floor plus three levels. Spanning 48,000m2, the facility is spread between two adjacent properties segmented by a road running between them. These properties are linked by slabs on three levels over the road. Furthermore, there is a raised pedestrian bridge crossing a busy road that links the new transport facility to the existing Central Park bus station and Heritage Railway Station.
Onset of Construction
Construction commenced in May 2009 and once completed in the last quarter of 2010 the development will also feature:
- Three vertical circulation towers created with special consideration for the elderly and disabled.
- Cycle lockers where cyclists can lock up their bicycles and take their desired mode of public transport
- Dedicated metered taxi bays
- Organised hawker facilities
- Formal retail areas on the ground and first floor
- Heighten security measures
The transport facility is one of the FIFA 2010 World Cup legacy projects and is being financed by the National Department of Transport. The R400 million (US $51 million) development’s income stream is a unique feature of the project. The incorporation of the retail component in the centre will generate income to be utilised by the Local Municipality to provide management, maintenance and cleaning services.
As a major public transportation hub in a rapidly growing city, there are many obvious benefits with regards to ease of transportation, safety and logistical order. Additionally, as a point of entry into Bloemfontein, the Mangaung Intermodal Transport Facility will provide a vital role by consolidating public transport for efficiency, upgrading the aesthetics of the existing transport facilities and contributing to the city’s overall urban renewal plans.
Project Team
Architects: Incline Architects
Engineers:
Vela Vke Consulting Engineers
Kv3 Consulting Engineers
Dsb Consulting Engineers
Micheal Moore And Associates
Quantity Surveyors: Rubiquant Quantity Surveyors
Limco Quantity Surveyors
Main Contractor: (Joint Venture):
Rsi Intermodal Construction
