Noise and Vibration Report - Transnet

ENVIRO-ACOUSTIC RESEARCHSCOPING NOISE REPORT – TRANSNET: SWAZI RAIL LINK – DAVEL YARD TO NERSTON RSA ROUTE1 INTRODUCTION1.1 INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSEEnviro-Acoustic Research was commissioned to compile a Scoping Noise Report as part ofthe Environmental Impact Assessment process conducted for Transnet’s proposedSwaziland Rail Link project. This project involves the development of a multinationalstrategic rail corridor stretching from Davel in Mpumalanga to Richards Bay in KwaZuluNatal via Sidvokodvo in Swaziland. This particular report covers the potential noiseimpacts relating to the proposed Davel to Nerston (Republic of South Africa) railwaysection on a scoping level.This report is the result of a first phase study (desktop) on the potential noise impact thatthis development may have on the surrounding environment, highlighting methodologies,potential issues to be investigated as well as preliminary findings and recommendations.1.2 BRIEF PROJECT DESCRIPTIONTransnet SOC Limited is proposing the development of a robust rail connection betweenLothair and the Komatipoort-Richards Bay route (refer Figure 1-1). This will provide aviable General Freight diversionary route to remove this traffic from the Mpumalanga CoalLine, freeing up slots for Coal Traffic. Further projects requirements include:• Providing a rail connection from Davel to Maputo via the Swaziland RailwayNetwork.• Enhancing capacity for the Komatipoort – Richards Bay railway corridor;accommodating traffic identified within the Transnet Long Term PlanningFramework and the prospective GFB traffic from the Coal Line.• Providing viable connections for rail freight from Western Swaziland to markets inSouth Africa, Mozambique, and overseas.• Providing viable connections for rail freight from South Africa to markets inSwaziland, Mozambique, and overseas via Maputo.The project is divided into 6 Work Packages (WP) for project implementationpurposes, namely:• WP1: The construction of a new rail link between Lothair (Mpumalanga) toSidvokodvo (Swaziland). Being a multinational project the work package is subdividedinto two sub-sections, namely Lothair to Nerston (RSA) and Nerston toSidvokodvo (Swaziland).• WP2: The construction of a new terminal and network links at Davel – known asDavel Yard and Connections.P a g e | 1