Good to see some further progress on the electrification project today, with the contract for the depot where the electric trains will be maintained and housed, being signed:
Auckland Transport has awarded the $40 million contract for the construction of the Wiri Maintenance and Stabling Depot for Auckland’s new electric train fleet to Downer New Zealand Limited (Downer).
Located next to the South-Western Expressway on Wiri Station Road on the old Winstone’s Quarry Site, the Wiri Maintenance and Stabling Depot will be the facility for maintaining and stabling the new electric trains that will be progressively introduced to the Auckland suburban rail network from early 2014 onwards.
The 7650 square metre building will have seven maintenance berths and will include systems that lift trains to enable maintenance, high level platforms to access the roof of trains along with a wheel lathe.
Downer, with their building construction partner Dominion Constructors, will also be responsible for development of the rest of the site including a train wash, cleaning platforms and stabling for 28 trains. Approximately six kilometres of new rail track makes up the sidings and connections to the Auckland suburban rail network. The facility has been futureproofed to maintain a fleet of up to 109 electric trains.
Mayor Len Brown says the Wiri Depot contract is a critical milestone in the electrification of Auckland’s rail network and a vital move towards a single, efficient, integrated transport network.
“This is a significant step to getting Auckland moving, and having a world-class, modern transport system that this region needs,” says the Mayor.
Auckland Transport Chief Executive David Warburton is pleased to see Downer joining the project that will ultimately result in the introduction of a new fleet of fast and comfortable electric trains as part of the on-going upgrade of public transport services in Auckland.
“The construction of the maintenance and stabling depot is a major step towards giving Aucklanders a 21st century rail service that will help keep the country’s largest city moving. It will also provide much needed jobs in the construction sector during the build. I’m delighted to welcome Downer and their subcontract partners to the team and have every confidence that they will exceed our expectations in terms of delivering the project on time and within budget,” he says.
Downer’s Major Projects Executive General Manager Fraser Wyllie is proud their organisation is able to contribute to the creation of a new era of rail travel for Aucklanders. “We are excited to be able to support the Auckland Transport Team on this transformational project for our city and extend the range of services Downer provides to one of our most important Clients,” he explains.
Significant earthworks to prepare the site for the Depot’s construction commenced in January 2011. The Depot build will commence shortly and take approximately 13 months. Once completed, the Wiri Maintenance Depot will be jointly managed by train operator Veolia and the manufacturers of the electric trains, Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF).
Fast facts – The Wiri Maintenance and Stabling Depot comprises:
· $40 million contract
· 4.4 hectares on the old Winstones Quarry on Wiri Station Road
· 7650 square metre building
· The works were designed by Opus in collaboration with RLB quantity surveyors, Peters and Cheung geotechnical engineers and Arup consulting engineers
· Six kilometres of rail track sidings
· Stabling for up to 28 electric trains
· Seven maintenance berths
· Construction commences May 2012, completion expected June 2013
· The Depot will be operated by Veolia and CAF
A couple of images of the depot were shown at last month’s transport committee meeting: 
It’s a pretty tight timeframe to have the depot finished by June next year, in time for the EMUs when they arrive.
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I will be overjoyed if you have a (1) train by June next year. Even so it should not need a finished, comprehensive maintenance facility. After all it is brand new. I would hope it will be the prototype and that it will be there to see what adjustments and alterations are needed to work at it’s best on the Auckland Network. All the same it is good to see things happening with the EMU program.
What is also positive is that it has capacity for 109 EMUs which is almost double what we are getting and probably enough for a fleet running at almost 5 minute frequencies once the CRL is built
I think the capacity reference is to individual EMU carriages. Not all need to be stored there as many will be distributed around the network.
No I am talking about the depot itself, not the stabling yard next to it. The facility has enough space so that can maintain a fleet of up to 109 EMUs
Does it HAVE that capacity – or does it have the SPACE to in the future (with more money & investment) be enlarged that way? To me, that’s unclear.
Yes,, my question too. is the area to house 109 EMUs in total (indoors and outdoors) all part and parcel of the by 2013 construction completion date?
What is the capacity of stabling facilities across the system (eg Henderson) as well out of interest?
Henderson has space for about 18, I think there is space for about 6 at Papakura and there are still plans for a stabling yard at Quay Park. I believe they will also store some at Britomart overnight.
Yeeeeeeha! I can almost believe it. Now all we need is an actual network for the sexy beasts to work….
Who got the “shunt vehicle” contract?
Congratulations to whoever altered the masthead to show the new Auckland “whatever it will be called” EMU by CAF. It is much better than an outdated Shinkansen! Also congratulationss for getting the editor going again. I just used it to add the second congrats.