Ports of Auckland has finally got the rubber stamp on $6 million of government funding for its Wiri rail link.
Prime Minister Helen Clark announced the deal on the campaign trail today, saying it will reduce the number of trucks going to and from the port, speed up container processing, and reduce the need for storage.
Ports of Auckland has to meet any project costs above the $6 million government contribution; these are currently estimated to be $3.1 million.
Currently, import containers arriving at Auckland are trucked through the city from the CBD to their destination.
Once the link is complete, Ports of Auckland will be able to move its containers by rail to Wiri and load them onto trucks from there.
Ports of Auckland chief executive Jens Madsen says the rail link is forecast to save 100,000 truck trips and 2.5 million truck kilometres per year.
“This is a great example of an integrated, multi-modal approach to transport planning – road, rail and sea transport all working together to create a leaner, more efficient and greener supply chain.”
Ports of Auckland already owns an inland port at Wiri; the funding is to build a rail siding and hardstand adjacent to it.
It’s expected to be completed by mid 2009.
Ports of Auckland is closing its East Tamaki inland port by the end of the year in anticipation of the increased volumes going through Wiri.
The government assistance for the Wiri project has been vociferously protested by rival Port of Tauranga’s chief executive Mark Cairns, who says the port should have paid for the link itself.
Prime Minister Helen Clark announced the deal on the campaign trail today, saying it will reduce the number of trucks going to and from the port, speed up container processing, and reduce the need for storage.
Ports of Auckland has to meet any project costs above the $6 million government contribution; these are currently estimated to be $3.1 million.
Currently, import containers arriving at Auckland are trucked through the city from the CBD to their destination.
Once the link is complete, Ports of Auckland will be able to move its containers by rail to Wiri and load them onto trucks from there.
Ports of Auckland chief executive Jens Madsen says the rail link is forecast to save 100,000 truck trips and 2.5 million truck kilometres per year.
“This is a great example of an integrated, multi-modal approach to transport planning – road, rail and sea transport all working together to create a leaner, more efficient and greener supply chain.”
Ports of Auckland already owns an inland port at Wiri; the funding is to build a rail siding and hardstand adjacent to it.
It’s expected to be completed by mid 2009.
Ports of Auckland is closing its East Tamaki inland port by the end of the year in anticipation of the increased volumes going through Wiri.
The government assistance for the Wiri project has been vociferously protested by rival Port of Tauranga’s chief executive Mark Cairns, who says the port should have paid for the link itself.