Client: Auckland Transport Contract: Design & Construct Location: Papatoetoe, Auckland

Fast Facts Designed a New Zealand-first ‘rail protection deck’, enabling work over live rail network. New station platform, including a new lift from the concourse covered with a 90m canopy. Two new bus stops off Puhinui Road. A separate circulation area for private vehicles to drop passengers off near the bus stops. 10 ‘meet and greet’ (short term) parking bays and four ‘kiss and ride’ bays adjacent to the new bus stops. Two mobility bays, six operational parking spaces, and an all-day parking zone for motorcycles and scooters.

McConnell Dowell and Built Environs, in joint venture, have successfully delivered the Puhinui Station Interchange Project. The Interchange is a key component of the Southwest Gateway, a programme aimed at enhancing public transport connectivity between Auckland Airport and the CBD. It is also a catalyst for wider bus and rail connections to enable more sustainable transport modes.

This project showcases the strong collaboration between McConnell Dowell and Built Environs, and demonstrates how the two businesses can work together to provide customers with a multi-discipline design and construction service through a single and seamless management interface.

Work Scope

The project included demolishing part of the existing Puhinui Station footbridge and constructing a new multimodal interchange.

The new station incorporates an at-grade bus area, drop-off zones and short-term parking bays, cycle facilities, new lighting and CCTV systems, and landscaping. Along with modifications to the existing central island train platform, works included an elevated concourse featuring stairs, lifts and escalators, a HOP ticket gateline, staff and retail facilities.

Innovation

Our temporary works team designed an innovative ‘rail protection deck’ – a structure that created a physical barrier between construction materials, plant operations, the rail corridor and its electrified assets. Being the first time such a structure had been proposed for use on a rail construction project in New Zealand, the team worked closely with KiwiRail and Auckland Transport to ensure the protection deck met requirements including design clearances, structural capacity and integrity.

The deck underwent several design and safety reviews, demonstrating the team's collaborative approach to solution development.  The rail protection deck allowed the team to safely transport materials from over the train tracks without having to shut down the train line. It also enabled work to continue during the day without night or weekend works, which meant less disruption for local residents.

Successful completion

Construction started in late 2019 and was completed on time in July 2021.

The upgrade has transformed the Puhinui Station into a major bus and train interchange, and provides a 10-minute bus service to the airport. Commuters enjoy increased shelter, improved facilities and access, and enhanced safety.

The station has been future-proofed to provide two additional rail lines – doubling the capacity for this key link in Auckland Transport’s Airport to Botany Rapid Transit Project.