Waitematā Station (Britomart) Newsletter

Kia ora neighbours,

This month's newsletter features:

Martinus Works Update
Improvements at The Strand
City Rail Link Waka Train Brick Build
Temporary Station Deconstruction
Plaza Reinstatement
Link Alliance Work Nearing Completion
Link Alliance Survey
Quay Park Works

Martinus Works Update - Platforms and Tunnels

Installation of blocks and tracks to road 5

Progress has continued from the Martinus New Zealand team this month, with the installation of the new road five track base slab followed by the installation of the tracks and the Low Vibration Track sleeper blocks. This is now ready for the concrete top slab to be poured commencing 28 November.

Platform 5 modifications and extension work has also commenced. This includes the cutting back of the existing platform and the installation of the reinforcement, formwork and concrete to the new extension walls.

Cable containment and overhead power line installations continued. In addition, the installation of new signal sub ducting between the tracks in the tunnels has also been progressing during the past month and over the November Block of Line shutdowns and night shifts. All these works contribute to optimising rail operations.

Platform 5 extension, modifications and platform cutback

Cable containment works ducting and cable pit installation

Upcoming Works in Waitematā Station (Britomart)

Cable containment installation and overhead works to continue.
Installation of additional signal sub ducting and new signal base foundation
- Stage 2 concrete pours to the section of new track 5
- Preparation and planning for the next Block of Lines on 1 and 3 ,16 and 17 December.
Completion of the extension to the end of Platform 5.

Improvements at The Strand

Installed piles in preparation for the concrete lamp

Teams are working on site until late December to complete an accessibility ramp that will give access from The Strand Station to the bus stops on the road below. To date, more than 50 piles have been installed for the concrete ramp. When complete, the ramp will be lit at night. The accessibility ramp should be in use ready for when train services start up again after the Christmas block of line.

KiwiRail is also in the process of turning the old signals building along the platform into a station building. It will include a café and comfortable waiting area with bathroom facilities and wifi for Te Huia and Northern Explorer passengers, as well as the wider public. It is expected to be open by the end of the year.

City Rail Link Waka Train Brick Build

On Thursday 7 December, City Rail Link (CRL) has something very exciting pulling into Waitematā Station – and it isn’t any normal train. It’s one made of thousands and thousands of LEGO® bricks! We’ve joined teams with TVNZ’s LEGO® Master finalist, Jono Samson, to build our iconic Waka Train just off the station foyer.

Alongside the replica, we’ll also have people present to speak about the creation of the Waka Train and the connection it depicts between traditional Māori knowledge and today’s technology – as well as the way it, and the CRL, are bringing Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland into the future.

We’ll start building from 7am right through to the afternoon. Come down and join us!

Temporary Station Deconstruction

Temporary station structure to be removed

Ventilation shafts and station access to remain

The temporary station entrance behind Waitematā Station (Britomart), which has been in place since 2017, will finally be removed in January/March 2024. Martinus teams will be deconstructing the temporary structure.

Starting next month, to prepare the site for deconstruction, Auckland Transport will begin capping services in the temporary building.

The building was used as temporary station entrance while works prevented the public from accessing the station via the front entrance. Recently, the temporary structure has been used as a site office.

Waitematā Station (Britomart) Plaza Reinstatement

Render of the new station plaza

In partnership with Auckland Council, we've recently announced the designs for the reinstated plaza behind Waitematā Station (Britomart) and the upgrade of Tyler Street.

The plaza will serve as an entrance and exit to the station, while also providing a relaxed place for people to meet. Tyler Street will be upgraded to match the design of Galway Street, completing the section between Te Komititanga and Commerce Street.

Construction of the plaza and Tyler Street is expected to begin in April 2024 and be completed by early-mid 2025. CRL and Auckland Council is committed to managing the impacts of construction on people who are living, working, and travelling through the area.

Link Alliance Work Nearing Completion

The Link Alliance team pulling low voltage cables inside the tunnel that’ll take passengers from Waitematā (Britomart) to Maungawhau Station

Link Alliance’s Appendix 26 work is very much at the tail end. At the eastern part of the station, once a fire ceiling is installed all physical work will be complete. Handover documentation is being prepared with final handover expected by early next year.

At the western end of the station, platform, lift and bluestone wall modifications are in their final stages with very minor physical work remaining. After this, handover documentation will be prepared and handover will take place.

Inside the tunnels that run between Waitematā (Britomart) and Te Waihorotiu stations, cable pulling continues to progress well.

Installed piles in preparation for the concrete lamp

Have you completed a Link Alliance stakeholder survey?

We’d love to hear from you if you haven’t already completed this survey on Link Alliance’s communications and engagement about work happening around Waitematā Station! It covers their communications and engagement efforts over the past three months.

The survey will take 5 minutes and is anonymous. As a way of saying thank you, all completed entries can enter a draw to win a $100 local business gift card!

Follow this link to the survey:

Stakeholder satisfaction survey Q4 2023

The survey will close on Friday 1 December.

Quay Park over Christmas and the New Year

As in previous Christmas/New Year periods, Quay Park neighbours will see an increase in construction activity during the annual rail network shutdown as a range of teams continue to ready Auckland’s metro network for the opening of the City Rail Link.

This year works will include one of two final foundation sites for Stage 2 of KiwiRail’s Rail Network Rebuild. These works will take place around the Ports of Auckland entry point and the rail yard. Once the Stage 2 Rail Network Rebuild is complete freight trains will return to their usual route along the waterfront. Other parts of the Rail Yard will be used to store materials, machinery and staff to support the ongoing Waitematā Station (Britomart) and City Rail Link construction. Neighbours will soon receive a flier in their letterbox with more details about the work.

Find out more
For information about Waitematā Station (Britomart) and Quay Park Yard works click here.

How to contact the wider Waitematā Station (Britomart) team:
If you have any questions or concerns about our works, please email the Waitematā Station (Britomart) team at info@cityraillink.govt.nz or phone us on 0800 CRL TALK (275 8255) and press option 1 for Waitematā Station (Britomart) work.

Ngā mihi nui
The Waitematā Station (Britomart) Team