Ports of Auckland today welcomed
the Government’s decision to fund the expansion of a key freight and passenger
rail line through Auckland.
The Government announced today
it will invest $100 million to build the ‘third main’, adding a third rail line
to the North Island Main Trunk Line between Westfield and Wiri, in Auckland.
This section of line is heavily used by both passenger and freight trains.
Although this line does not link
directly to Ports of Auckland, it will add capacity and flexibility in a key
section which will improve rail access from our Waitematā sea port to our
inland ports at South Auckland, Waikato, Manawatu and the Bay of Plenty.
This new investment will
facilitate greater use of rail - both for freight and passengers - helping to
reduce congestion and make the supply chain more efficient and sustainable.
Over time, Ports of Auckland
would like to see further investment in rail, particularly the addition of a
fourth main line in the Westfield-Wiri section along with capacity and access
enhancements on the Eastern Line to the Waitematā sea port.
ENDS
For further information contact:
Matt Ball
Head of Communications
P: +649 348 5262
M: +6421 495 645
E: [email protected]
