Six years after it first established the inland port at Wiri in Manukau, Ports of Auckland will ships goods to the site by train with the first journey on the newly opened railway link due to take place overnight.The first train from the port is due to ar
Six years after it first established the inland port at Wiri in Manukau, Ports of Auckland will ships goods to the site by train with the first journey on the newly opened railway link due to take place overnight.
The first train from the port is due to arrive at Wiri at 1am this morning, after the completion of the rail exchange to the site.
The rail link will reduce the number of trucks on Auckland’s busy roads, with forecasts that it will save up to 2.5 million truck kilometres per year – equal to 100,000 central city truck trips.
KiwiRail will initially run four services of 23 wagons a week in each direction between Wiri and the Auckland seaport.
Ports of Auckland managing director Jens Madsen said completion of the rail exchange was a “major step forward”, both for the port company and the entire Auckland region.
“This is about bringing the seaport right to the doorstep of businesses in South Auckland. Exporters and importers will be able to drop off and pick up containers without having to negotiate the Auckland motorways.”
Construction of the rail exchange began in June 2009 and saw three rail sidings, 2,000m of rail track and a hardstand about the size of the Britomart station built.
It was jointly funded by Ports of Auckland and KiwiRail, with the 5ha of land the rail exchange is on owned by KiwiRail and the port company owning the adjacent 10ha inland port.
KiwiRail chief executive Jim Quinn said the rail link was a “natural addition” to rail network, as it was in close proximity to the North Island main trunk line.
“The Wiri link is an example of an initiative to provide the efficiencies our customers are seeking in moving their goods. We are pleased to be able to provide the infrastructure for industries and regions to realize their full potential.
The rail exchange will be formally opened at a ceremony next month. Conlinxxx - a new subsidiary company formed by NZL Group and Ports of Auckland to operate the Wiri Inland Port - commenced operations yesterday.
