The New Zealand government is investing in building and renewing public transport infrastructure in Auckland to boost the local economy and improve rail services.
The Puhinui Interchange is one of four projects that will receive funding as part of the national government’s transport infrastructure package. Transport Minister Phil Twyford said the upgrades would ensure the projects are finalised on time.
“By investing in the under construction Puhinui Interchange and Stage One of the Ferry Basin Redevelopment project, we are protecting jobs and making sure these important projects can continue. Both are expected to be completed next year.”
Other projects include upgrades to improve bus services and active transport links said Associate Transport Minister Julie Anne Genter.
“By investing in public transport and walking and cycling infrastructure, not only are we helping people leave the car at home, we are reducing emissions and tackling climate change,” said Genter.
In addition to working on the Puhinui Interchange, Auckland Transport is also upgrading Papakura Station to rectify water leaking into the lift shafts which caused the lifts to often be out of service.
Works at the southern Auckland station will include new roofs and canopies, and a small concrete wall at ground level. Construction is expected to begin before the end of July and completed by mid-October.
At the Karangahape station site in central Auckland, construction has begun on the City Rail Link station, the deepest in New Zealand.
The first of 28 panels for the diaphragm walls are being constructed, which are the first permanent sections of the station.
Once finalised, the station will be 30 metres deep, the deepest of the underground stations built as part of the City Rail Link project.
Once the walls are complete, a roof and supporting columns will be built, and then the station’s platforms and concourse will be built.
Dale Burtenshaw, deputy project director for the Link Alliance, said that the construction process has been designed to minimise disruption.
“Working top-down like this will reduce the impact of construction at street level in a busy part of the city like K Road,” he said. “At the same time, using a hydrofraise allows us to operate close to other buildings without disturbing those buildings. We’ve also fitted mufflers to the machine to reduce noise levels for our neighbours.”