Urban rail

Applicant

Greater Wellington Regional Council

Purpose

To seek the Board's approval for funding of the Stabling and Depot upgrades required to house the new Greater Wellington Regional Council's Matangi Electrical Multiple Units; and funding of the additional cost to undertake the electrification and double tracking of the rail lines between Mackay's Crossing and Waikanae in the Wellington region.

Date of decision

31 October 2008

Resolutions

The NZ Transport Agency Board:

1. approves funding for the additional costs of the Greater Wellington's electrification and double tracking from Mackay's Crossing to Waikanae project at an estimated cost of $17.4 million and a funding assistance rate of 60% from R funds and 30% from C2 funds to support local share (a total of 90% or $15.6 million from the NZ Transport Agency) and therefore bringing the estimated total costs to $86.9 million;
2. notes that the 5th and 95th percentile cost of the electrification and double tracking of the rail lines from Mackay's Crossing to Waikanae project is now estimated at $78.19 million and $97.55 million respectively;
3. notes the reasons for this decision are as set out in the Reasons for recommendation section;
4. requests management to engage with KiwiRail to determine whether there are other options with respect to the Stabling and Depot upgrades project; and
5. agrees to take Board paper 08/10/0064 out of Committee when the Board has published the notice of decision.

Reason for the decision

Electrification from Paraparumu to Waikanae and double tracking from MacKay's to Waikanae are part of the western corridor plan of the Greater Wellington's Regional Land Transport Strategy. The project will ensure that urban rail remains a main transport commuter option for people in the Kapiti Coast area.

Design and construction of the project was approved by the Land Transport NZ Board in July 2007, based on an assessment profile of HHM. Detailed design resulted in an increase in the estimated costs of the project. This cost increase does alter the assessment profile of the project into HHL.

We confirm that the matters in sections 20(2) and 20(5) of the LTMA have been satisfied and that the matters in section 20(3) have been taken into account.

If you would like details of how the assessment profile for this activity was determined, please email us at boardsecretariat@nzta.govt.nz.