April Newsletter

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30 April 2021

Kia Ora,

We hope you have all been keeping well as we move into Autumn. On site we continue to make progress with the mined tunnels and foundation works for the future tunnels that will connect with the existing Western Line.

We’re excited to announce the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) has now been connected to power and commissioning is underway ahead of it’s drive. Next Tuesday, 4 May we will be hosting a TBM themed info hub at Te Manawa from 4.30pm – 5.30pm. Another session will also be held on 11 May from 5pm – 7pm. Here you’ll get the chance to talk to tunnelling specialists about what happens when the TBM is travelling underground and answer any questions you might have.

Ngā Mihi

Mt Eden Station Team

Preparing to Bore

Our Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) – Dame Whina Cooper is now hooked up to power and undergoing a series of rigorous testing and commissioning!

The TBM will begin boring later in May and expected to arrive at Aotea Station in November 2021. We are looking forward to continue sharing the progress you will certainly be hearing more about it over the next couple of weeks!

Mine Tunneling continues at Mt Eden Station

Down by the tunnel portal the team have begun preparation for mining the second carven (tunnel). This second tunnel cavern will be 7 metres deeper than the first tunnel cavern and the team are working hard to excavate deeper into the ground to establish the work area, using Tawa the tower crane to lift equipment over the gantries and into the work zone. Later next week, they will officially begin excavation of the portal itself, breaking through the concrete until they are 92 metres into the tunnel!

Neighbours Making Their Mark

If you think something looks familiar on the new Nikau Street hoardings (fences) well it might be because your art features in it!

At our February ‘Aroha in Uptown’ event we invited neighbours to 'Make Your Mark', a creative session to contribute to a mural work by NZ artist, Jayden Plank.

A crowd of creative neighbours gathered to draw whatever came to their mind when they thought of: Heat, Kinetic energy, Mount Eden and Aroha for community and the natural environment. Jayden then used all of these drawings to create a vibrant piece of the Nikau Street hoardings.

We encourage everyone to check it out and see if they can spot their own personal touch to this amazing piece of art.

Some of our locals contributing to the art work at the 'Aroha in Uptown' event on February 14

Basalt for Bikes

This month the Mt Eden Station site proudly donated two truckloads of basalt rocks to Totara Park Mountain Bike Club located in the Auckland Council-owned Totara Park in Manukau.

Using the rocks has added interest to the trail rides while providing a sustainable way to repurpose the rocks. The basalt rock provides excellent traction with suitable edges for riding across. Not only is it an attractive and challenging trail-ride feature but it is also safe.

The rocks are being used in a range of ways throughout the trail network including to create technical climbing obstacles and rock gardens, as well as to block illegal shortcuts.

To ensure the basalt was moved safely, our incredible environment team coordinated the move with the construction team, and we worked closely with the recipients of the basalt when it was delivered.

Untangling one of Auckland’s largest water pipes

At 1.3metres diameter, the Huia 2 watermain pipe is on the larger size of the treated water pipes in Auckland. The ginormous pipe also happens to be running right through the middle of our construction site and along the rail corridor that will be expanded as part of CRL works.

Constructed in 1975, the Huia 2 runs approximately 15 kilometers from the initiation point at the Huia Treatment Plant in Titirangi, to the Kyber Pass reservoirs.

Although not at capacity, the pipe holds approximately 20 million litres of water in its entirety and operates in a bi-dimensional manner, meaning it can run west to east, vice versa or can split at a junction point to run in both directions simultaneously.

Link Alliance is currently relocating a 130metre length of this critical infrastructure along Fenton Street as the current location, alongside the rail line, will impede the construction of the additional CRL rail track.

Excavations underway on Fenton Street to install the new Huia 2 water pipe

International VIP at Mt Eden Station

Her Excellency Sylvaine Carta-Le Vert being shown the TBM model by Link Alliance Project Director, Francois Dudouit

This week, we had the honour of welcoming Her Excellency Sylvaine Carta-Le Vert, Ambassador of France to New Zealand to our visitor centre, Te Manawa.

The visit was a great opportunity to share our passion about the project and demonstrate what we have achieved so far.

Ambassador Carta-Le Vert enjoyed the visitor centre where our TBM model is proudly on display before viewing our state-of-the-art health and safety training room and going on site at Mt Eden.

Her Excellency Sylvaine Carta-Le Vert pictured with members from the Link Alliance team

Introducing: OMG Gardens

Organic Market Garden (OMG) is an organic urban farm that aims to break the cycle of industrialised food production. OMG is a project of For the Love of Bees, a social sculpture led to transform Auckland into the ‘safest place in the world for bees.’

OMG uses regenerative learning to achieve a sustainable food system that boosts biodiversity for our community, soil, and friendly pollinators. Aiming to inspire and educate the community, we are all encouraged to purchase seasonal veggie boxes, participate in composting services and volunteer for weekly working bees.

The Link Alliance has had the pleasure of working alongside OMG numerous times with the most recent being their participation in our Aroha in Uptown event.

What was once City Rail Link Ltd abandoned land, is now a green oasis that will leave you mouthing ‘OMG!’

Uptown Business Association Community Meeting

This month Uptown Business Association held an open community event at the local pub – Horse & Trap.

The mixed crowd of activists, politicians and residents united by their shared passion for the neighborhood brainstormed together to talk about the future of Uptown Prescient and what they wanted it to look like.

Members of the Link Alliance team were proud to be involved in this event and listen to voices that make up the vibrant neighborhood. If you’re interested in attending future Uptown Business Association events you can follow them on Facebook.

Talk to us and our Tunnelling Experts

Do you live along the CRL tunnel route and want to learn more? Next Tuesday – 4 May, the Mt Eden Station team will be hosting a tunnelling-themed information session from 4.30pm – 5.30pm at Te Manawa (1 New North Road) to answer any burning questions you may have. In attendance, our friendly tunnelling and environmental specialists will be on hand to chat to you about all things tunnels.

Can't make next Tuesday? No problem, we’ll also be hosting another information session with our experts on Tuesday 11 May 5pm – 7pm.

Learn about the CRL project

Te Manawa, our visitor information centre at 1 New North Road continues to be open to the public every Monday from 11 am - 1 pm and from 4 - 6:30 pm, and once a month on Saturday from 11:30 am -1 pm.

A friendly member of team will be available to show you around and chat to you about the exciting changes the CRL project brings. We hope to see you there!

Take a site perimeter tour with us!

We'll continue to run our monthly site perimeter tours led by Development Response Manager – Piet Ubels. The next tour is Tuesday 4 May and kicks off at 3.30pm meeting outside Te Manawa and touring down Shaddock, Flower and Nikau Streets.

Each month Link Alliance is going to look at some of the more technical terms from the construction and ‘translate’ them into more easy to understand terms. This month we look at the term ‘Diaphragm Wall’.

Diaphragm Wall

A diaphragm wall (or D-Wall) is a continuous wall constructed in the ground and typically to form an underground barrier or structure. Diaphragm walls are constructed through a narrow trench, excavated in ground and supported by an engineered fluid (typically a sodium bentonite mud) which is later replaced by a permanent material (concrete).

A diaphragm wall would typically be constructed as a ‘perimeter’ to prevent water ingress. Over at Mt Eden Station, D-Walls are being constructed along the Mt Eden road-over-rail bridge to prepare for it's expansion to allow new rail lines under the road.