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
  7 650 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