“Strong and safe” restart for CRL construction sites
City Rail Link construction across Auckland has sprung back into action after more than a month of lockdown.
Britomart, Albert Street, Aotea, Karangahape, Mt Eden and Ōtāhuhu sites were all secured before the COVID-19 alert level 4 lockdown came into effect - and were re-opened when the country moved into a lockdown level 3 early this week.
Rēnata Blair and Te Kurataiaho Kapea of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei led a traditional karakia on Tuesday morning at CRL’s Lower Queen Street and Aotea Station site. Since then, other sites have also been blessed also - the blessing of sites by mana whenua prior to construction resuming has always been a key part of ensuring sites are safe for returning workers.
CRL Ltd’s Chief Executive, Dr Sean Sweeney says the priority remains on keeping workers and the wider community safe.
“At morning start-up and toolbox meetings workers [are] briefed about stringent new health and safety protocols before they make a successful start to their shifts. Those rules cover things like access to sites, safety and protection for themselves and their workmates, and sanitation and cleaning regimes. We’ll be applying the protocols diligently.”
He says the prep work completed at CRL sites, together with planning and design work done by staff working remotely during the lockdown have all contributed to a successful return to work.
“Given the project’s size and the contribution it can make, getting back to work quickly will be a significant and important contribution to the revival of the New Zealand economy.”
Dr Sweeney says it will be some months before the project has a clearer view of the lockdown’s impact on costs and construction timetables.