MEDIA RELEASE
30 June 2003

Laying the final ground work of
the Britomart Transport Centre

Tranz Rail is training its drivers in preparation for Britomart’s first passenger train, due into the new station on Monday 7 July 2003.

It will be the first public train back in downtown Auckland in over 70 years.

Preparatory work to connect the Newmarket line to the Britomart station has started with some excavations and removal of existing tracks. The next phase is to place the new rail foundation. The tracks then need to be re-laid and connected to the existing Newmarket line near Ronayne Street bridge. The signalling equipment will then be joined and tested.

“Downer and their rail and signalling subcontractors have been doing an amazing job so far,” says Councillor Greg McKeown, Auckland City Council’s Transport Committee chairperson. “Their biggest challenge is yet to come with the final track and signalling cut over to commence this coming Friday 4 July, weather permitting.”

A decision to proceed with the work will be made at 6am with their partners, Downer, Tranz Rail and Land Transport Safety Authority (LTSA). Work is expected to be finished by the evening of Sunday 6 July. Should it be postponed, the work will then be undertaken the following weekend (11 to 14 July 2003).

Once the works commence, they will continue non-stop until completed. “If we strike unforseen ground conditions, track laying delay, signalling connection complications or any other unforseen factors, the works may not be completed by Monday morning for the first train-in on the Newmarket line, says Councillor McKeown.

“Once this work is completed, it will be the tightest corner in New Zealand's entire rail network," says Councillor McKeown.

"While the Britomart track work is currently being project managed by Auckland City, plans are that Auckland Regional Transport Network Limited (ARTNL) will manage Britomart and develop the region's rail infrastructure," concludes Councillor McKeown.

Ends

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