09/18/09

KiwiRail today celebrates the first extension to the Auckland rail network in nearly 80 years.

Together with Manukau City Council and the Auckland Regional Transport Authority, KiwiRail will today mark the start of construction on the Manukau Rail Link, which is the first new rail route to be built in Auckland since the Eastern Line in 1930.

Transport Minister Steven Joyce officially marks the project's commencement by turning a ceremonial sod, which will be returned to the ground once main construction activities begin.

The rail link, being built by KiwiRail and its principal contractor Leighton Works, sits alongside the SH20-1 motorway extension. It will include a rail trench housing ARTA's station and sit adjacent to Manukau Institute of Technology's planned new campus.

KiwiRail Chairman Jim Bolger says the Manukau Rail Link brings rail to a dynamic and fast-growing community which has not yet experienced the benefits of rail.

"Manukau is one of the largest and youngest cities in the country," he says. "This infrastructure will open up a world of new opportunities for the thousands of young people considering their education and careers and we are immensely proud to be part of that."

"Rail is clearly a vital part of the transport mix when moving large numbers of people across a city that continues to grow - both in size and in its contribution to the national economy. Rail must reach the highest possible number of people in the most efficient way.

"Clearly it is impossible to build new tracks and train stations in every corner of a sprawling city like Auckland.

"We need to be strategic about the way in which we extend the reach of the network and bring rail to new communities. That means integrated transport hubs in key locations like the centre of Manukau, feeding out into the many corners of the city."

The Manukau Rail Link is part of Project DART, the $600m initial upgrade of Auckland's rail network.

Mr Bolger says the Manukau project represents one of the final steps in the vision for faster, more frequent and reliable train services for Auckland commuters.

"This suite of projects will together increase the capacity, reliability and reach of the Auckland rail network. It is progress like this which will change the way Aucklanders see their rail network."

Issued by KiwiRail. For further information please contact: Brooke Donovan, Communications Advisor, KiwiRail - Ph: 09 308 6154, 021 824 604

ABOUT THE MANUKAU RAIL LINK

The 2km section of new track will link Davies Ave in Manukau City with the Southern Line at Puhinui. It will run alongside the new SH20 motorway extension and will be mostly double-tracked to achieve convenient and frequent services. The rail link includes a 300m-long rail trench which will house two 180m-long lateral platforms and the Auckland Regional Transport Authority's station.

Rail infrastructure is due to be completed in mid-2010, ahead of the station opening in 2011.

ABOUT PROJECT DART

DART (Developing Auckland's Rail Transport) is the $600m initial upgrade of the Auckland rail network. Key elements include the upgrade of Newmarket station and junction, Western Line Duplication and New Lynn Rail Trench, and the rehabilitation of the Onehunga Branch Line.

For more information visit www.projectdart.org.nz

Category: KiwiRail Group

Posted by: Aroha Tanirau

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