Dunne rapt with Johnsonville Line upgrade progress
26 January 2009

Ohariu MP and UnitedFuture Leader Peter Dunne inspected progress on the $11 million Johnsonville Line rail upgrade on Wednesday, saying it was an impressive job and every sleeper and piece of track laid down was cementing the line’s future.

“This is a substantial investment in the line that the local community can really take heart from in terms of guaranteeing the future of its rail system – something I have long pushed to protect.

“It’s very pleasing to see this work going so well and Ontrack are well on target to have the trains back on schedule on Waitangi Day,” Mr Dunne said. Work on the line upgrade began on December 28.

The project has included making seven tunnels larger, lowering the floors by up to 80cm, and excavating more than 630 cubic metres of soil.

“Ontrack is doing a tremendous job and the engineering involved is very impressive – but you can’t help but also admire the work of earlier generations who laid these tracks and built these tunnels,” he said.

The work was the first substantial upgrade of the line in 40 years.

Mr Dunne said the community had responded very well to the inconvenience of the work.

“People have been excellent. They know the work needs to be done and that it’s securing the future transport needs of the area’s commuters for many years to come. They have put up with some inconvenience at this time of year with very good spirit,” he said.

Contact: Mark Stewart, Press Secretary, 04 817 6985