Kia ora koutou
We hope you and your loved ones are keeping safe and well. During alert level 3 this month, our construction team continued their hard work on site with extra health and safety precautions. We understand that during this time many of our residential neighbours were working from home and we would like to thank them all for their patience and support.
We’ve had an actioned packed month this month with Tunnel Boring Machine assembly works under full swing, large concrete pours to form the base of the future western CRL tunnel, demolition of 97 Mt Eden Road and much, much more.
As always, if you have questions or concerns about our work please get in touch with us via mteden@linkalliance.co.nz or 0800 CRL TALK (press 5 for Mt Eden).
Kind regards,
Mt Eden Station Team
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New artwork installed around Mt Eden construction site
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If you regularly stroll past Shaddock Street or Ruru Street, you may have noticed there are colourful new additions on our construction hoardings (fences) around the site perimeter.
A large scale artwork on the Shaddock Street hoarding is now in place. This piece was designed and constructed by local father and son duo, Piet and Jan Ubels who created a sculptural relief wall in the form of a timber ‘stained glass window’.
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Shaddock Street hoardings designed by Piet and Jan Ubels.
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This wall was constructed using discarded timber and materials salvaged from the Mt Eden Station and Karangahape Station construction sites and features motifs overlaid with a narrative of the local area’s history. Many well-known figures are referenced in the work, while others are unsung to the general public. Such as Cyril Basset, a Victoria Cross recipient is illustrated next to the K.C. Loo Fruit centre, the former Prime Minister Mike Moore, the St James Church and veteran broadcaster Paul Homes.
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Over on Ruru Street, a bold, colourful piece of artwork has been erected by Melinda Butt aka MIN (Min designs). Melinda’s work on the hoarding reflects the volcanic features of Tāmaki Makaurau, with fluid and hot elements and the changing earth as a supporting base for people to live on. The two hands rising up from the centre of the art piece represents our interconnected relationship with the land with the composition of the shapes and their angles promote a sense of rising up from the earth.
We invite all members of the public to take themselves on a tour down to Shaddock and Ruru Street to check out the art work and to keep an eye out for more art coming soon!
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"Unwrapped and growing” - CRL’s big machine takes shape
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Our heavy metal star – the Tunnel Boring Machine named in honour of Dame Whina Cooper is now starting to take shape in front of the tunnel entrance at our Mt Eden site.
The first four of 11 sections, known as gantries, have been moved and aligned into position. All 11 will be in place by mid-March. The TBM’s final piece, the front section or shield, will then be connected.
When the job’s done, CRL will have a travelling factory 135 metres long ready to start excavating the first rail tunnel in late April.
The gantries provide the hydraulic, mechanical and electrical power the shield will need to excavate the tunnels, remove the excavated spoil, and install the precast concrete segments that will line the tunnels. The gantries also carry all the ‘mod cons’ the TBM’s tunnellers will need underground - a small office, canteen, a refuge chamber if there is an emergency, and a toilet.
A truck with a multi-wheeled hydraulic trailer moved the first gantries, each weighing 70 tonnes, into position.
Moving and aligning them all is a big and delicate operation at the busy Mt Eden site. A dedicated road and ramp had to be built down to the tunnel. Concrete slabs were poured by the entrance and rail tracks installed to position the gantries correctly.
Once the shield and all of the gantries are connected, the completed TBM will be put through vigorous tests and commissioning to ensure it is safe to begin its journey through the first tunnel.
The TBM will be operated by the Link Alliance, which is responsible for CRL’s main contract – building the stations and tunnels and installing the systems – lighting, signals, communications and tracks - that will turn the tunnels into a railway line.
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Celebrating love with 'Aroha in Uptown'
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This month the Link Alliance and Uptown Business Association celebrated their love affair with the Uptown precint with a Valentine’s Day event - ‘Aroha in Uptown’. A programme of events was held by businesses and creative spaces radiating out from the Maungawhau/Mount Eden Station.
Visitors had the opportunity for a morning of colourful art marking, free ceroc dance classes, pet portraits, walking art tours and much more.
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Link Alliance's Diana Veitch leading the art walk
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The event was a success with love in all forms showing up to celebrate Te Aroha in Uptown. The Link Alliance and Uptown Business Association would like to extend their sincere thanks to all the businesses, artists and visitors who joined us on this day.
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Link Alliance profile: Introducing Wilson
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This summer we welcomed 18 new interns on the Link Alliance internship programme. The interns are here this summer to get experience in their selected field of study. For Wilson Fuata, Link Alliance Engineering intern turned Graduate Engineer, internships can be a pathway for opportunity.
We would like to congratulate Wilson and welcome him to the team at Mt Eden. Originally from the beautiful island of Rotuman, Wilson was born in Fiji before his family migrated to New Zealand where he grew up in Pakuranga, East Auckland,.
Before Wilson joined the Link Alliance on the internship programme he completed a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering at the University of Auckland. In search of a graduate role, Wilson joined the Link Alliance as an intern to gain experience, and is very grateful and excited to have secured a graduate role as an engineer under mentor, Jenny Zhang.
Outside of work you’ll find Wilson hanging out with his family and friends and playing sports. During warmer months, you’ll find him chilling at the beach.
Wilson is excited to be working on New Zealand’s largest transport infrastructure project, and is excited to be working alongside such knowledgeable and experienced engineers.
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Local business profile - Horse & Trap
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Stop stalling and get off your high horse, because sitting proud on 3 Enfield Street in Auckland’s own Mt Eden is your favourite neigh-bour - the Horse & Trap.
Here you’ll find proprietors Jason and Paula who took over the 1914 heritage building eight years ago, where Jason had been Head Chef for a couple of years prior. Jason created a popular public house that boasts social relaxation, excellent service and welcoming staff, with the added heritage value that makes your dining experience unlike any other.
The Horse & Trap are saddled with a menu that revolves around iconic pub classics with a bit of fine dining, street food and lots of family friendly options. A place for anyone and everyone, the Horse & Trap will have you wanting to stay pasture your bedtime.
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Information session at our new visitor information centre – Te Manawa
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On Tuesday 2 March, the Link Alliance’s Mt Eden Station team are holding the first community information session at our new visitor information centre – Te Manawa (at 1 New North Road). This session will run from 4.30pm to 5.30pm.
Everyone is invited to come along to learn more about the CRL project and Mt Eden construction works!
Also happening on Tuesday 2 March, you are welcome to join us for a perimeter walking tour led by Development Response Manager – Diana Veitch, down to the top of the portal on the corner of Flower and Nikau Street. The tour kicks off at 3.30pm meeting outside 1 New North Road.
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