All systems go for city’s rail upgrade

Wellingtonians can look forward to new, longer trains that are more reliable, thanks to an almost $200 million investment package.

Transport Minister Phil Twyford announced yesterday that the New Zealand Transport Agency would pump $193m into the region’s rail network to upgrade ageing tracks and infrastructure, and increase safety.

This means commuters on the troubled Wairarapa line will get a new track within five years, as part of a $96m upgrade, which also includes double-tracking the busy section between Trentham and Upper Hutt.

It also paves the way at some stage for new and longer trains, which can’t be added to the current fleet until the line is upgraded.

The double-tracking between Trentham and Upper Hutt will mean Wairarapa and Hutt Valley trains, which also pass through Upper Hutt, will have separate tracks along that stretch, reducing the likelihood of delays.

The Wairarapa line, between Wellington and Masterton, has been plagued by problems for several years, with its ageing tracks causing delays, line closures, and reduced speed limits.

Earlier this year, trains operated at lower speeds to ensure they did not derail as heat caused the tracks to expand.

Twyford said the upgrading of the line, expected to take five years, would remove the need for speed restrictions and make the line more resilient.

‘‘The network is ageing and parts of it are nearing the end of their useful life, which means . . . speed restrictions and more likelihood of delays.

‘‘This funding will allow KiwiRail to get the network up to standard and make improvements that will allow for more and longer trains.’’

The work will involve renewing tracks, sleepers, and bridges, and replacing the ground between the two tunnels on the line.

Elsewhere, parts of the Ka¯ piti and Johnsonville lines will also be renewed, while high-risk slopes across the network will be stabilised to reduce the likelihood of slips. The network’s power system will also be upgraded to improve signals and allow for longer trains.

It is hoped these upgrades will reduce the number of disruptions caused by slips or signal faults.

Wellington Railway Station’s heavily congested ‘‘pinch point’’ – where as many as eight tracks merge into just two as they approach the station – will also be improved through a new track layout.

Construction work will start in April.