On the 15th of May 2004, FIFA President Sepp Blatter announced to the world that South Africa would be the proud first African host nation of the FIFA World Cup Football Tournament to be held between June 11 and July 11 2010.

With the nation in raptures, the South African Government was aware that much was to be done to ensure that the state would be ready to host such a prestigious event.  One element that required particular attention was South Africa’s transport system and on the 7th of December 2005, the South African Government gave the authorization for the construction of a rail network in Gauteng that would connect Johannesburg, Pretoria and OR Thambo International Airport.  The Gautrain project, as it was called, was undertaken by Bombela Consortium, which is a partnership between Bombardier Transportation, Bouygues Travaux Publics, Murray & Roberts, the Strategic Partners Group and RATP Développement, the J&J Group and Absa Bank.

The project was initially estimated to cost between R3.5 and R4 Billion however, it is believed that the cost has risen to upwards of R7 Billion.  With stations set to be in Johannesburg, Rosebank, Marlboro, Midrand, Centurion, Pretoria, Hatfield, Rhodesfield  OR Thambo International Airport and Sandton, Cochrane Products is proud to be part of the development of one of the deepest underground stations in the world, the Sandton station. 

At close to 90 meters below ground, the Sandton station will be the epicenter of the Gautrain system.  Cochrane Products and in particular, ClearVu – The Invisible Wall is extremely excited to have its product form part of the extremely modern design of the Sandton station.  Although most often used as a perimeter security barrier, which is considered the most secure, most attractive, most durable, cost competitive A+ Green Rated fencing solution currently available, the designers of the Sandton Station have decided to use ClearVu to enhance the already futuristic design of the various roofs of the station.  With its highly transparent appearance, arrow straight edges, integrated angles and neat finish, ClearVu is guaranteed to ensure that the Sandton Station will be forever remembered as one of the most modern, architecturally superior train stations in the world.