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City Rail Link (CRL) 2022- Year of the Big Breakthrough.
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Kia ora,
It has been hugely busy (and constructive) year at Maungawhau/Mount Eden Station, full of milestones and achievements and more still to come. The end of the year is all about bridges with Normanby, Ruru and Fenton all making our holiday season news.
Reflecting on the past year, we are proud of the hard mahi of our team and what we have achieved together. Some highlights include:
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The final breakthrough of the Dame Whina Cooper Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM)
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Lifting the Porters Avenue Bridge span
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Completing the Basque Park pipe diversion work
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Significant structures development including the ventilation and station buildings
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Opening the Normanby Road pedestrian bridge
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Hosting Branch Out in Uptown Spring Festival and supporting the Uptown Business Association Dining Guide
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Taking the Prime Minister, Ministers, the Mayor, new Local Boards and CLG members on station tours
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And of course, lots of ice cream and coffee!
This month, our Elf & Safety Manager was back on board, reporting live from site. During site visits we caught the Elf peeking into the tunnels, skipping on the Fenton Street Bridge, and climbing the Station building overpass!
Check out our Elf’s mischievous journey on social media, before the cheeky charmer heads back to the North Pole site.
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Elf & Safety Manager overseeing progress for the new Maungawhau/Mount Eden Station building and CRL platform.
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Thank you neighbour, for your continuous support during our work. We hope that you have a fun-filled festive season and a happy start to the New Year!
If you have any questions about our work activities, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at mteden@linkalliance.co.nz or 0800 CRL TALK press 5 for Maungawhau/Mount Eden Station.
You can also follow Link Alliance’s progress by clicking the social media buttons below.
Ngā mihi o te Kirihimete me te Tau Hou,
The Maungawhau/Mount Eden Station team
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Normanby Road Bridge open, aroundabout now!
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Normanby Road roundabout construction.
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All we want for Christmas is to open the Normanby Road Bridge… That’s right, the highly anticipated bridge opening is almost here and just in time for Christmas.
The bridge is currently open to pedestrians and cyclists and will open to vehicles in a matter of days. The estimated opening date is 22 December. The team have been working day and night over the last two weeks for the final push, the asphalt and road sealing works. However, you’ll have to keep your eye on the weather, which could delay the opening by a day or two, so we are crossing our fingers and toes that the rain stays away.
The new bridge is a safer alternative to the previous level crossing and makes way for the new CRL train line to pass beneath. It is one of three level crossings removed as part of the CRL project and sets a precedence for safety around railways. Level crossings create an unnecessary safety hazard, where vehicles and pedestrians cross the tracks directly and therefore have the potential to come into the path of an on-coming train. The new bridge will also prevent traffic delays because vehicles, pedestrians and other traffic no longer have to stop at the level crossing to let trains pass.
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The design by Graham Tipene on the side of Normanby Road Bridge.
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Normanby Bridge features a meaningful design created by artist Graham Tipene. Graham Tipene has developed his ideas for the bridge based on the legends of the nearby maunga (mountain) of Maungawhau (Mount Eden) which is also known as Te Ipu a Matāoho (the food bowl of Matāoho).
The bridge construction has been no easy feat. The work took 18 months and is truly a great win for all. The bridge will open for traffic in both directions. Limited traffic management will remain in place in the surrounding area after the bridge is open, including a section of one-way on Boston Road, east of the roundabout, while the remaining road work is completed.
A dawn karakia took place yesterday ahead of the opening tomorrow, led by Kingi Makoare from Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei on behalf of the CRL Mana Whenua Forum to create a safe passage for the public to cross. Now that everything is in place, we can’t wait for you all to enjoy this exciting new pathway.
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A dawn karakia was held yesterday to bless the new Normanby Road Bridge before the public can use it.
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Artist's render looking from Ruru Street Bridge, to the station entrance.
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In November, we completed the structural elements of Ruru Street Bridge. An exciting milestone, this is another big step towards completing the redeveloped Maungawhau/Mount Eden Station.
Immediately adjacent to the new station building, the Ruru Street Bridge crosses the new CRL platform, connecting people with the station’s primary entrance.
When the station and surrounding areas are complete, Ruru Street Bridge will form part of the Ruru Street extension. This will connect the existing Ruru Street with Mount Eden Road in a single-direction loop, providing access for pedestrians and people on bikes, and pick up and drop off access for vehicles.
Our bright blue tower crane “Tui” lifted 13 double hollow core concrete bridge beams into place to form Ruru Street Bridge. Twenty metres long, and weighing up to 32 tonnes, these form the main part of the bridge structure, supporting the concrete bridge deck and barriers.
These barriers form an integral and beautiful part of the design. Drawing upon Te Ao Māori Design Principles, these unique elements reference local stories and history. From the CRL overpass and platform, users will see the faces that line the barriers’ exterior, watching over the rail corridor and bidding travellers’ safe passage.
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These beautiful concrete panels line the exterior of the bridge panels, and are currently watching over the CRL platform construction below.
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When complete, users crossing the bridge will pass through stencilled stainless-steel plates on the interior of the barriers, leading to the station entrance. The bridge is currently in the middle of the Maungawhau/Mount Eden site, so we’re waiting to add these finishing touches until closer to the redeveloped station opening.
We’ll keep you updated as we progress, and look forward to sharing this beautiful bridge with you.
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Fenton Street Bridge lift
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The last of our five bridge pieces arriving to site.
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The Fenton Street Bridge will cross the North Auckland Line (Western Line) platform. It will connect Fenton and Ngahura Streets, opening up the western side of Mount Eden to the vibrant midtown area when it opens alongside the redeveloped station. The lift date is a little up in the air (see what we did there?) but if weather conditions prove suitable, we’re aiming for 28 December. A 500-tonne crawler crane is setting up on site currently, and will conduct a single lift from Ngahura Street.
The bridge replaces the previous level crossing, elevating users above rail corridor, and improving safety and accessibility. With lifts on both sides, it connects pedestrians, cyclists, and people with mobility requirements with the main Maungawhau/Mount Eden Station walkway.
At 86 metres long, the bridge is made of steel pieces, posts, and barriers, a concrete deck, and weighs 105 tonnes. The bridge was delivered to site in five pieces, and our team have been assembling it on the ground. Next week, we’re installing balustrades, and doing a final inspection of its rich burgundy paintwork, before it is lifted into place.
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Our team welcoming the body of the 500-tonne crane that will be used to lift the bridge into place.
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Fenton Street Bridge is expected to open in 2024, along with the rest of Maungawhau/ Mount Eden Station. This opening date is to protect pedestrians and locals, as Fenton and Ngahura Streets on either side of the bridge remain open as active site accessways.
Like all new bridges surrounding the new Maungawhau/Mount Eden Station, Fenton Street Bridge looks to the maunga, and incorporates a cultural narrative, gifted to our design team by Mana Whenua. Elevated views connect users to the Maungawhau area, and the barrier designs reflect local stories.
Radiating out from the new station, the four new rail bridges at Fenton Street, Ruru Street, Porters Avenue and Normanby Road are considered part of the Maungawhau/Mount Eden Station whānau. Viewed as tomokanga, or thresholds, the bridges mark the journey towards Matāoho, the deity in the crater of Maungawhau, associated with the many volcanic features of Tāmaki Makaurau.
Find out more about Matāoho and Maungawhau here.
We’ll provide updates and opportunities to celebrate as works progress. Stay tuned for our January 2023 newsletter to read about our big lift!
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Upcoming Christmas Block of Line
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Work near the rail corridor will take place over a Christmas Block of Line (BOL) when no trains are running.
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After a short break over Christmas, our construction teams will be back to work on 26 December to continue the work to complete the CRL. Link Alliance utilise the Christmas BOL which will take place from 26 December 2022 until 16 January 2023. A ‘Block of Line’ is where limited or no trains are running on the rail network and Link Alliance use this time for necessary work to take place on or near the tracks, as this is when it is safest for our teams.
There will be limited trains running on the rail network during this time, however, the public is advised to continue to look for trains and take care at level crossings. The Christmas BOL 22/23 is an essential time for the delivery of a second line running for the Western Line. The construction of the tracks and overhead lines will be complete by the end of the Christmas BOL and we are aiming to have signals installed, and up and running after the Easter BOL.
Some of the track building activities need to happen overnight and will include some noisy activities such as the tamper, destressing, and deliveries. For up-to-date activities during this important BOL, check out the construction calendar for the latest updates about out-of-regular hours or extraordinary work.
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The Christmas BOL is also important for lifting activities over the live rail corridor while no trains are running. This is a key time for Link Alliance to install the Fenton Street Bridge span, central stairs, and platform and lifting of equipment for the North Auckland Line (Western Line) platform canopy, as well as the bridge and elevator from the new station that connects to the NAL platform. It is starting to look like a railway station!
For the past couple of months, we have been sharing information about the BOL with our neighbours through face to face and online channels. If you have any questions regarding the BOL you can call our 0800 number anytime over the holidays.
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Ice cream and Te Manawa movies
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Our neighbours queuing for a free ice cream on Normanby Road.
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Bringing the summer fun to our neighbours has been a huge hit once again. Mr. Whippy has been touring Maungawhau during this BOL period, providing the community with hundreds of free ice creams on us. The best part is that we are only half-way through the fun!
In January, you’ll be able to get a range of ice cream treats between 11.30am - 1.30pm along the route below on 13, 20 and 27 January. Plus, a bonus early evening shout (4-6pm) on 25 January.
The route is: Porters Avenue > Flower Street > Akiraho Street > Normanby Road
The truck will spend just 25 minutes at each of these stops (in order), so get in quick!
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Movies and popcorn in Te Manawa during the school holidays.
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Link Alliance have a great solution for those looking to keep the kids entertained during the school holidays - an Afternoon at the Movies!
At 1pm, Monday 23 January, we will be showing the visually stunning ‘Hugo’ at our CRL Visitor Centre at Te Manawa, 1 New North Road.
Winner of five academy awards, Hugo tells the story of a boy who lives alone in the Gare Montparnasse railway station in Paris. The child becomes embroiled in a mystery surrounding his late father. Come sink into a beanbag, snack on some popcorn, and join us for this free film on our big (ish) screen!
Email mteden@linkalliance.co.nz to sign up. Numbers are limited, so get in quick! Please note, all children under the age of 14 will need to be supervised by an adult.
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Jargon Buster: Soil cells
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Each month we share technical terms from our construction, and ‘translate’ them into easy-to-understand language. This month we will look at soil cells.
Soil cells are plastic units that are assembled together to form a complete matrix structure, designed to act like a reservoir for the eventual tree that will be placed in it. It enables a tree to accept, store and transmit water, nutrients, and energy, and provides room in which roots can propagate, giving structural support to the tree. They are usually placed underground.
Soil cells help manage the way tree roots grow and spread in cities and towns, in a way that its growth does not impact surrounding infrastructure. Soil cells are generally used in urban areas, near roadway, footpath and pavements.
Soil cells have been placed in preparation for its future tree pit. Link Alliance plans to help contribute to greenspace by building soil cell infrastructure near all CRL stations for future trees, making it a real concrete jungle – one to look forward to!
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Picture of soil cells assembled together near Porters Bridge, Mount Eden.
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We return to offices on 4 January 2023
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2022 was a remarkable year here at Maungawhau/Mount Eden Station. That long list of milestone achievements marks a year of incredible progress. Looking across the expanse of the project, bridges and buildings now stand in places where there was nothing a year ago. The TBM seems a distant memory although it’s journey in 2022, was a marvellous and memorable feat of engineering.
On behalf of our teams here at Maungawhau/Mount Eden Station, we wish you all the best for a prosperous New Year, and times of love and joy with the people, projects and pets you care about most over these holidays.
We look forward to welcoming you back to site tours, info hubs, open days, ice cream trucks, coffee carts, apartment meetings, events and information sessions in January when we resume regular operations.
Ngā manaakitanga ki runga i ā koe.
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