Closed for redevelopment - An update on the Pukekohe to Papakura electrification
A photographic look at the Pukekohe to Papakura electrification and construction of (Te) Maketuu Station (Drury Central), Paeraataa Station (Paerata) and Pukekohe stations.
On the 13th of August 2022, the track between Pukekohe and Papakura Station closed for redevelopment and track electrification works.
KiwiRail recently posted to Facebook an update on the electrification works, saying as of Matariki weekend 32% of the overhead lines have been installed.
The overhead line appears to have been installed between Stadium Drive and somewhere north of Paeraataa Station, North of Crown Road heading towards Great South Road a support line has been strung up in advance of the overhead wire installation.
On August 19th NZ Transit Buzz travelled along the Southern Line between Pukekohe and Papakura to photograph the works occurring along the line.
Starting at Drury Station, pylons to support overhead wires have been installed and the track through where the station will be located has been relaid, several homes and properties have started to be cleared away in preparation for the station construction.
South of Drury station Waka Kotahi has been working to move State Highway 1 east of its current location as well as raising the height of the bridges that carry SH1.
After passing the SH1 bridges its pylons as far as the eye can see until you hit a remote paddock where in the distance you can see Ngaakooroa Station (Drury West) where the concrete platform abutments can be seen and a protective plywood fence has been installed to allow for station construction to continue when the line reopens in late 2024.
Due to the track's location after Ngaakooroa Station there isn’t much that can be seen from the road until you get near Paerata.
At Crown Road in Paerata, the level crossing has been upgraded with electricity ahead signs and the groundwork for the station can be seen in the distance.
After travelling into Pukekohe and driving down Station Road we appear at what is left of the Pukekohe Station.
On April 24th the Troup-era class B station building was transported to its new home at a historic village in Matangi. Since the buildings removal Platform 2 has been cut back to make space for a new track layout and space for the now well under-construction platforms 3 & 4.
From the overbridge, new access ways to the platform are being constructed which includes a new staircase to platforms 1 & 2 as well as an elevator and staircase to platforms 3 & 4.
The platform and track bed construction works are well underway currently there is a single track through Pukekohe Station between Stadium Drive and Subway Road.