Where we are working
KiwiRail and its contractors are always working to maintain and upgrade Wellington's rail network. Our teams try to keep disturbance to a minimum, but sometimes you will notice work going on in your area.
This page lists significant upcoming short-term activity and disruption in the Wellington region. (Short-notice maintenance jobs to keep the trains running safely are not usually listed here.)
- To find out why we are doing this work, visit Future Rail: Wellington Metro Upgrade Programme.
- For information about train timetables and bus replacements, visit Metlink.
- If you would like to be added to our database so we can keep you updated, please sign up here.
Jump to Wairarapa Line | Wellington Railway Station
Wairarapa Line
- December - Feb: Buses will replace trains on the Wairarapa line for 46 days between 26 December 2024 and 10 February 2025 to allow us to complete the renewal of the track inside the 8.8km Remutaka Tunnel.
- May - ongoing: We are grinding the Wairarapa Line to address carriage vibration issues. Work will take place at night. It will be noisy and create sparks. Read more about the vibration issue here.
Carterton
- May - July: From 25 May we begin upgrading the level crossings at Andersons Line and Chester Road. There will be lane closures for both, and the occasional full road closure for Chester Road. Chester Road traffic will be detoured via Wilton Road to SH2.
Woodside Station
- During the Christmas 2023/24 shutdown we started construction of a new passing loop. Work in this area will continue throughout 2024.
Wellington Railway Station (all lines affected)
- December - January: Buses will replace trains on all lines for 18 days between 26 December and 13 January to commission the new signalling system at Wellington Railway Station.
- Ongoing: We also expect to be working many weekends, all public holidays and most nights between now and the end of 2024.
- Some of the work will be noisy, including beeping trucks as they reverse and a tamping machine that packs down the ballast under the tracks.
Questions?
Please contact us on:
- 0800 801 070 (daytime hours)
- 0800 801 070 extn 43042 (after hours)
- email wgtnupgrade@kiwirail.co.nz