Government invests in Auckland rail tracks

By NZPA

Tuesday 13th March 2007

The government has given the green light to upgrades of the rail infrastructure at Onehunga and Newmarket in Auckland.

Finance Minister Michael Cullen announced $15 million of investment that would allow a reconfiguration of the rail network at Newmarket and the return of train services to the Onehunga branch line to Onehunga wharf.

"I have given approval for Ontrack to invest in the upgrading of the Onehunga Branch railway line and additional work associated with the changes needed at the Newmarket Junction," Cullen said today.

"This is great news for Onehunga as passenger trains ceased 34 years ago and the line stopped carrying freight last year."

The return of trains to Onehunga wharf was seen as significant because if there was ever a plan to put a rail line to Auckland airport it would extend down from Onehunga.

The measures mostly benefit passenger services but could benefit rail freight by making services through Newmarket smoother.

The upgrade will form part of the current projects being carried out in Auckland by rail network operator Ontrack and the Auckland Regional Transport Authority (Arta) and funding will come from the $600 million granted by government in December 2005.

Upgrading the line was expected to cost $10 million with platform work and relocation of the old Newmarket station to cost around $5 million.

Comments from our readers

No comments yet