Regular train services resumed in Wellington on 6 January following an intensive period of construction to progress the region’s rail upgrade.
A Christmas timetable has been in place with buses replacing some trains while KiwiRail took advantage of the quiet holiday period to undertake major works at the entrance to Wellington Station.
Construction started early on Boxing Day with teams working around the clock on the project to install a third main line for trains coming in and out of the Station. Once it is operational in mid-2010, the third line will increase capacity and reduce congestion at a busy point in the network.
Wellington Region Rail Programme Director David Gordon said staff and contractors had made good progress on the rail upgrade despite some dreadful weather.
“We’ve worked hard to get as much done as possible while many Wellingtonians have been out of the city on holiday. A lot of this work physically cannot be done while regular train services are running so we try and do it when it will cause less disruption to commuters,” David Gordon said.
“I’d like to thank the passengers who have used our services over the holidays, and the residents who live near our worksites, for their patience. People have been really understanding about the need for what we’re doing.
“We’ll be continuing with the upgrade work throughout 2010 as we get the network ready for Greater Wellington Regional Council’s new fleet of Matangi trains, due to arrive later this year.”
In addition to laying track for the third main line, the reconstruction of Pukerua Bay platform continued, and work began at Wellington Railway Station to smarten up and safety of the platforms. Progress was made on the ongoing upgrade of the overhead line system which powers Wellington’s electric trains.
The work is part of the Wellington Region Rail Programme, a series of improvements to the Wellington railway system that will give commuters more reliable passenger services. This is a joint initiative between the Greater Wellington Regional Council and KiwiRail (ONTRACK and Tranz Metro).
The Wellington Region Rail Programme includes:
- A fleet of new electric trains – the Matangi trains
- Extension of electrification and double tracked lines to take commuter services to Waikanae;
- Installation of power supply equipment and railway signalling;
- Adding another line into Wellington Railway Station to reduce delays;
- Making the Johnsonville Line tunnels larger; and
- Improving a number of platform and station facilities.