South Africa Approves $1.1bn Rail Project

A $1.1bn rail and road-link project has been given the go ahead by the South African Cabinet.

The Moloto rail corridor development initiative will link the country's economic hub, Gauteng province, around Johannesburg with the north-eastern province of Mpumalanga near the popular Kruger National Park.

The rail line is expected to join Gauteng, KwaNdebele and Sekhukhune with road feeder services to the line.

Government communications head Themba Maseko says the project is part of a multi-billion-dollar infrastructure improvement programme being carried out across South Africa as part of the lead up to the 2010 football World Cup.

The project intends to cut journey times and improve road safety – Moloto Road had previously been dubbed 'the road of death' due to the large number of commuters killed on their way to work.

By Louis Makiello