KiwiRail is calling on drivers and pedestrians to take extra care as the dairy season starts in New Zealand, with regular trains running again between Hokitika and Greymouth.
People travelling in the area have been advised to expect trains or rail maintenance vehicles to be using the rail line at any time, day or night, seven days a week.
Part of the Hokitika Line features a noteworthy combined rail-road bridge.
KiwiRail’s South Island General Manager Mark Heissenbuttel said the public should take care to cross safely and only cross the line at level crossings. “To cross the line anywhere else is both dangerous and illegal,” he said.
KiwiRail took advantage of the off-peak dairy season to carry out essential maintenance and to make improvements to the railway line and four level crossings, including the Kumara Junction roundabout. The level crossing at Kumara Junction has new rail track, sleepers and underground signal equipment.
KiwiRail is also continuing work to replace more than three kilometres of the rail line from Kumara heading south. So far, around 2000 new concrete sleepers have been installed to replace old timber sleepers including those across the Paroa rail bridge. About 1500 metres of rail have been replaced by the company’s track workers.
Improvements have also been made to trackside drainage to make the line more resilient when the region is lashed by severe weather events.
“KiwiRail continues to invest in the Hokitika Line for the benefit of our customers and the environment. Each tonne of freight carried by rail instead of heavy trucks means 70 per cent fewer carbon emissions,” Heissenbuttel said.
Further work is planned over the next 18 months, including an upgrade to the rail bridge across Taramakau River which will get new steel beams.
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