KiwiRail has begun building a new section of rail to a third platform Ōtāhuhu Station in Auckland’s south, as part of improvements to prepare the network for the City Rail Link.
A new 1.3-kilometre section of track will be built alongside the main line at Ōtāhuhu, and four new crossovers will allow rollingstock to switch between tracks.
The 11-month build will allow a third platform to be used at Ōtāhuhu, facilitating improved services when the City Rail Link opens in 2024.
KiwiRail acting chief executive Todd Moyle said the operator was proud to create stronger connections through a modern and more efficient transport network for Auckland.
“We have ambitious plans for New Zealand’s transport future and the City Rail Link is part of this,” Moyle said.
KiwiRail will deliver the Ōtāhuhu rail works while Auckland Transport will upgrade the station itself.
The City Rail Link includes construction of twin 3.45-kilometre-long rail tunnels between the current dead-end station at Britomart in the CBD and the existing Mt Eden station on the Western Line, and two underground stations.
The Government said it is the largest transport infrastructure project ever undertaken in New Zealand.