After a competitive tender process, the leading transport infrastructure developer Downer has been awarded the contract to deliver station upgrades at Pukekohe, Auckland Transport has recently announced.
The $15.4 million Pukekohe Station project will see the construction of a new park and ride area, new bus station facilities, and a pedestrian overbridge – all of which serve the aim of creating an integrated station which links bus services with existing train services.
According to Auckland Transport’s group manager of capital works, Andrew Scoggins, Downer’s commitment to social and economic procurement in the local area fulfilled a key element of the tender process.
“Downer’s tender submission stood out for its focus on delivering quality outcomes. To ensure that we leveraged the best socio-economic outcomes for South Aucklanders, we also require Downer to work with The Southern Initiative to employ local people where possible,” Scoggins said.
The project forms part of Auckland Transport’s push towards the Integrated Transport Programme and the New Network plan, both of which aim at further integration of the city’s public transport system to produce better service outcomes.
Access to the station is set to be improved by the construction of a new commuter car parking area with spaces for 87 vehicles, along with cycle parking spaces and connections to local road and footpath networks.
Located on the western side of the of the rail line, the park and ride and the bus station will be connected to the train station and Station Road via an overbridge, the piling works for which have already been completed. This will enable passengers to move quickly to and from buses and trains, helping the push towards better timetable integration of the two services.
Bus connections to the station will also be improved through the installation of new traffic lights at the intersection of Manukau Road and Custom Street, allowing the bus services to run to schedule while retaining normal traffic flow when there are no vehicles leaving the station. A new pedestrian crossing will improve the safety of pedestrians accessing the station.
Jim Galloway, Downer’s Infrastructure Projects Project Director, said the company is pleased to play a significant role in the next stage of development at the station.
“Downer is delighted to be involved and look forward to starting work with the Pukekohe community and see this exciting project through to successful delivery for all stakeholders.”
Construction is to start in July and is expected to be complete by early 2018.