New drone footage has shown the extensive construction progress taking place beneath Auckland’s city centre as part of the City Rail Link (CRL) project, as work starts on the streetscapes above.
The underground drone tour shows the shape of what’s to come in the months ahead, with the passenger concourse, platform and two main entrances all taking shape.
The CRL continues to make significant progress on Auckland’s world-class rail network with major works on the North Auckland Line (Western Line) tracks and overhead lines now largely complete.
This achievement means that by mid-this year, the new Western Line tracks will be operating in both directions, vastly improving train frequency. The North Auckland Line (Western Line) will connect to the new CRL line to create a seamless service between western suburbs and the inner city.
Also nearly complete are new rail tracks in the tunnels between Waitematā (Britomart) and Te Waihorotiu (Aotea), while the first rail track is being laid at the other end of the CRL, from Maungawhau/Mount Eden Station towards Karanga-a-Hape Station.
This marks the first significant stage in the shift from civil works to rail systems works around the fit-out of the stations and tunnels, now that construction of the tunnels has been completed.
The fit-out, including architectural elements, includes installing the tracks, sleepers, electronics, safety systems and other essential componentry. The logistics involved include:
· More than 16km of rail track
· 816km of signal cables
· 247km low voltage cables
· 86km traction cables
· 74km cable containment
· Over 5100m2 metal cladding and
· Around 4000m2 of glazing.
CRL delivery partner Link Alliance has established a Systems Integration Facility (SIF) at the old Chief Post Office in Britomart, reopened to public acclaim, to integrate the CRL software and hardware into existing KiwiRail and Auckland Transport systems.
This program of work is difficult and critical to the success of the CRL when it opens. It’s taken seven months to acquire all the software and hardware, with two kilometres of cable just to connect the SIF and before it is even integrated into the system.