ONEHUNGA BRANCH LINE
Work is now well underway on the rehabilitation of the Onehunga Branch Line, which is scheduled to open for passenger rail services in the first half of 2011. PDFs of the information panels on display at Onehunga Library are available here and here.
ONTRACK has begun building the first of ARTA's new stations at Te Papapa. The remaining two stations will be built at Penrose and the old ITM site near Onehunga Mall.
Plans to reopen the Onehunga Branch Line for passenger services and link it to Auckland's existing Southern Line were announced in March 2007.
ONTRACK has progressively rehabilitated the existing single line along its current alignment. See the map below or download a pdf [1mb] of the image. The work has now largely been completed and the next steps are to upgrade the eight level crossings along the line, as well as the pedestrian level crossings.
ONTRACK is responsible for reopening the line, while the responsibility for running passenger services lies with the Auckland Regional Transport Authority. ARTA is working with Auckland City Council, in consultation with the local community, to finalise the location of stations and the details of the passenger services.
ONTRACK is undertaking all 'below rail' components, including the rails, signals, station platforms and level crossings, and is working with Auckland City Council to review safety measures along the route.
Rehabilitation plans
ONTRACK has rehabilitated the existing single track on its current alignment. We have renewed rails and sleepers, and upgraded the formation and drainage as necessary. We have removed the old track and completed earthworks and replaced the track at level crossings. Ballasting and tamping of the new track, which currently ends at Galway Road, is underway.
A high-res PDF of this map is here.
Our next step is to upgrade eight level crossings along the sign as well as associated pedestrian level crossings. The junction between the Southern Line at Penrose and the Onehunga branch line will be upgraded to allow remote control of signals and a 30 minute service frequency.
Passenger facilities plans
Construction is now underway on the first of ARTA's three stations along the route - at Penrose, Te Papapa and Onehunga. Work will continue over the next few months until the line reopens to passenger rail services in the first half of 2010. Visit the ARTA website for further details.
Electrification
The Auckland electrification project will include the Onehunga line as one of its first projects, and the timetable for work is currently being finalised.
Onehunga updates
As the rail upgrade work progresses, we will update residents and businesses on what is happening in the rail corridor next to their property. We do this via fliers delivered to the local area as the project progresses and adverts in the local community paper.
