Commuters keep cool as Petone Station progresses
The upgrade of Petone Station moved into the second phase of construction over the long weekend, with new sections of platform now open to passengers.
Wellington Region Rail programme director David Gordon says passengers have been very patient during the construction, and the final result will be worth the wait.
“Rebuilding platforms while trying to keep a station open isn’t easy, but the passengers at Petone have been understanding about what we’re trying to achieve, which in the end, is about giving them a better rail service.
“We try as much as possible to keep stations open while we work, but do remind passengers to take care around the construction sites and to follow the instructions of Tranz Metro staff,” Mr Gordon says.
The improvements are being done in two stages with half of each platform closed for construction in turns, allowing passengers to continue to catch trains. Over Labour weekend, the new sections of platform were opened and construction begun on the second half.
Mr Gordon says the move to phase two was a sign of good progress.
“Achieving this milestone is a sign of the progress we’re making to improve Petone Station.
“For passengers using the new sections of the platform, they can now see what we’ve been working on,” Mr Gordon says.
Both platforms at the Station are being trimmed back and re-surfaced, with the addition of passenger safety features such as yellow tactile strips at the platform edge. Electrical ducting is also being installed in preparation for the introduction in future of a real-time passenger information system by the Greater Wellington Regional Council.
The platform work, due for completion by January 2010, is necessary to accommodate the fleet of new Matangi trains arriving from the middle of next year. Petone is just one of a number of stations around the region being upgraded as part of a wider improvement project for Wellington’s rail network.
Upgrade of Epuni Station and several of the station platforms on the Johnsonville Line is already complete. The upgrade of Pukerua Bay Station on the Paraparaumu Line is due to start at the end of November.
The $550 million programme includes:
* A fleet of new electric trains – the Matangi trains
* Extension of electrification and double tracked lines to take commuter services to Waikanae
* Installation of power supply equipment and railway signalling
* Adding another line into Wellington Railway Station to reduce delays
* Making the Johnsonville Line tunnels larger
* Improving a number of platform and station facilities
