DATE
27 March 2024
March 2024
ATTENDEES
Link Alliance
Matt Sinclair – Station Manager
Shaun Sutton – Community Manager
Nicole Borland – Development Response Manager
Diana Toki-Hu – Senior Communications & Engagement Advisor
Patrick Gibbs – Project Engineer
Auckland Council
Genevieve Sage – Local Board Member (Waitematā LB)
Romana – Development Response team
Auckland Transport
James Wickham
Attendees
Tania (Heart of the City)
Jugdish (Roma Blooms Florist)
Shobana (Roma Blooms Florist)
Noelene Buckland (City Centre Residents’ Group)
Colm (The Fiddler Irish Pub)
Vicky (Manhattan Apartments)
Agenda
1. Intro (Shaun Sutton)
2. Te Waihorotiu Station construction progress (Matt Sinclair)
3. Community support update (Shaun Sutton)
4. Streetscape reinstatements update (Patrick Gibbs)
Presentation
Presentation from Link Alliance attached.
No Item Discussion
1. WelcomeShaun Welcome, introductions and thanks to Colm/Fiddlers Bar for hosting the CLG.
2. Te Waihorotiu Station construction update – Matt
- The hydraulics and ventilation system installations are almost finished across the station: 2x 7 tonne fans were recently installed in the southern end of the station.
- The electrical system has recently been livened in the station with 22kv of power. This is a major milestone!
3. Community Support update (Shaun Sutton)
4. Utilities and streetscapes
- The station team has now pulled over 300km of electrical and communications cable.
- The concourse level architectural cladding and ceiling is almost finished including the aluminium imitation wood ceiling battens.
- Floor tiling will start end of next month.
- All lifts are now completed except for the lift in the Victoria Street entrance which is expected to be completed after Easter.
- Train tracks are now completed across all CRL stations with the Overhead Line Electrification (OHLE) almost completed.
- The first test train is expected through the station by the end of 2024.
- The station fit out will be completed at the beginning of 2025, and station testing will be completed by end of 2025. AT may open the station with the first trains running for public use in 2026, however there is lots involved before that including driver training and safety tests etc.
- Noelene asked how clean the air expelled out of the Kingston Street plenum from the underground station would be. Matt answers that the air composition will not be abnormal as the trains are electrically powered.
- We are now over halfway through our streetscape reinstatement programme – a new brochure with milestones has been launched (see handout).
- Special underground tours for stakeholders are still open and available. There have also been several activations in support of businesses such as the recent one for St Patricks Day.
- There has been lots of involvement from the Police and FENZ recently, as part of the station’s health and safety readiness preparations.
- Support for businesses continue, particularly in areas that works are taking place. Further ideas from businesses on how Link Alliance can support are most welcome.
- Link Alliance is also working closely with the whole midtown project including the Wellesley Bus improvements and the Symphony Centre Project.
- Noelene would like more greenery as part of the new streetscape works and emphasises that more greenery in the city centre is the highest priority for the CCRG. Shaun explains that there are trees and garden beds to be installed as part of the design, but there are constraints as to how many trees can be planted above an underground structure.
- Recently the Vector 22kV upgrades have been completed in the northern end of the station – this is a major
update – Patrick milestone for the team.
- We are now working at pace to complete the footpath on Albert Street (section between Victoria and Wellesley Streets)
- Streetscape works will then move to Mayoral Drive starting on the west side and ending with footpaths linking to the Wellesley Bus Improvements project.
- Shobana asks how many bus stops there will be and where will they be located. Patrick says that most of the bus stops will be on the western (SkyCity) side of Albert Street (section between Victoria and Wellesley Streets), but none outside Manhattan Apartments or on Albert Street (section between Victoria and Wyndham Streets). There will also be some bus stops on Mayoral Drive.
- Shobana asks where the loading zones will be. Patrick answers that there will be loading zones in the following places:
- Albert St near Hollywood Bakery
- Kingston Street
- Albert Street outside Manhattan Apartments
- Albert Street outside Crown Plaza
- There will be bike stands in the following places:
- Corner of Wyndham and Albert Streets
- Either side of Victoria Street
- Outside the 3x train station entrances
- Near Harvey Tree
- The Bluestone Wall will be one of the last things to be put back, likely to be starting later this year.
- The gradient of pram crossing outside Roma Blooms is now approved as it has been deemed to be safe by AT safety engineers.
Next Steps
- Minutes and presentation will be uploaded to CRL website and circulated to relevant organisations
- The team will continue to be in touch with stakeholders as soon as further information and details are received regarding the next stages of streetscape works
- Underground tours for stakeholders – all are invited and please contact the team if you wish to have a tour.