KiwiRail has concluded its preliminary investigation into the power outage at its National Train Control Centre (NTCC) in Wellington which caused widespread disruption on the Auckland rail network yesterday afternoon.

KiwiRail is seeking expressions of interest for the sale of our Dunedin-based Hillside Workshops business.

KiwiRail engineers have completed the assessment of the damage to the Napier to Gisborne line and have reported it will cost between $3.3 and $4.3 million to repair and take approximately five months to complete.

Over the Easter break a major milestone was achieved on the Kapiti Line with the replacement of the last stretch of old overhead wire through the tunnels south of Paekakariki, says Infrastructure and Engineering General Manager Rick van Barneveld.

A wider Mt Wellington Highway bridge was opened to full traffic in the weekend after more than three months of rebuild works.

Additional safety measures in the form of flashing bells and alarms were installed at the Walkers Road level crossing in Rolleston this week.

KiwiRail says it  could take a further two weeks to fully assess reinstatement options for the section of the Napier- Gisborne railway line extensively damaged by heavy rain in the region last week.

KiwiRail is assessing reinstatement options for the section of the Napier- Gisborne railway line extensively damaged by heavy rain in the region last week.

Interislander – the country’s leading Cook Strait ferry operator – has announced a major new partnership deal with Rowing New Zealand that will mean great rates for any crews crossing the Strait for regattas in the North Island and the South Island.

A brand new Morrin Road rail overbridge was opened to vehicles and pedestrians this week, 12 days ahead of schedule, to the delight of neighbouring businesses and motorists.

A  further milestone will be reached on the electrification of Auckland rail network this weekend with the commissioning of new signalling along a 10 kilometre section of track between Wiri and Papakura.

Essential repairs and reconstruction at Kenepuru Station on the Kapiti Line have been completed, with the station reopening this morning.

Major works were completed on the Wellington rail network while most New Zealanders were enjoying the holiday break. Hundreds of railway staff and contractors worked around the clock on programmes to improve and maintain the rail network.

While the rest of the country is on holiday hundreds of railway staff and contractors are working around the clock on busy work programmes in Auckland and Wellington preparing the rail networks for improved commuter services and electric trains.