Mega Vehicular Project
On 18 December 2024, I was lucky enough to be invited behind the cones and into the depths of Te Waihorotiu Station.
Part of the City Rail Link construction in Auckland, the new train station is expected to be the city's busiest, with the huge 250m-long concourse something to behold!
Estimated at being "95% done" with protective wrapping just begging to be torn off, the testing of trains through the new tunnels is due to begin early in the new year.
Wellesley/Albert St Facade.
Worklights almost light up the connection between street level and concourse.
A stream of rods and lights creates a soothing atmosphere above the main foyer.
Albert St (the gap at centre-right) was cut and covered from here to Britomart Station. The rest of the new track, including through K Rd station to Mt Eden station, was bored by TBM.
Construction zone near Aotea Square.
Further construction will go up next to and above the station, while foundations allow for future development of the site to allow additional lines to connect below.
The top blue part represents Ranginui, the Māori sky father, the glass awning Te Waihorotiu (Ligar Creek) and the local sandstone at the bottom represents Papatūānuku Mother Earth.
Exterior works are close to being complete.
Thousands of rods and lights create a topographic immersive feel.
The 250m-long waka-shaped concourse runs a full city block below Albert St between Victoria and Wellesley Streets.
The concourse curves to a point at the front of the waka, some 250m away.
Signage waiting to be unwrapped.
Escalators yet to be completed.
More escalators, these ones ready to go.
Workers on the track.
Back of house, showing some of the 270km of cabling within the station.
One of the two tunnels that connects to Karangahape Road Station.
One of the huge air extraction fans and massive ducts at the back of house.
Ducting below Albert Street ramp, from the other side of the Bluestone Wall, with air vents on the right and through the floor to the main tunnel below.
Pedestrian ramp to Victoria Street, towards Queen Street.
Aluminium ceiling detail.
Above ground, the median strip of Albert St has skylights to let natural light down to the concourse below. The rest of the median will contain planting boxes.
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