How It’s Looking: Rossgrove Tce

 

Baldwin Ave remains closed until at least the end of the month as work on the upgrade continues.

Those normally using the Baldwin station will need to use Morningside or Mt Albert stations or go by regular bus. There is no rail bus for there when the Western line resumes Monday.

That work involved upgrading the east-bound platform, the existing west-bound platform being removed, the tracks and level crossings upgraded to accommodate the new station,; new shelters, electronic passenger information displays and landscaping.  KiwiRail is also doing track and sleeper renewals and using the tamper machine through the area. (Earlier explanation of the Tamper machine here)

Over the weekend, workers concentrated on work around Rossgrove Tce, just along from the Baldwin station,  where the level crossing and tracks are being upgraded.

Long time coming…
The upgrade along these lines has been promised to happen about 7 years ago.

Reader Alan Wilkins sent us old website captures showing how it was promised on the old ARTNL site.

In May 2004, the old Auckland Regional Transport website listed a time line for a proposed upgrade to Baldwin Ave, for completion around 2005.  The west-bound platform was going to be rebuilt in the same location as the current platform.

On 16 June 2004 the ARTNL website had a media release entitled “ARTNL Receives Funding for Passenger Rail Station Upgrades”.  This stated that “Auckland Regional Transport Network Ltd (ARTNL) has received a grant from Infrastructure Auckland of $25.5 million to fund a revamp of 11 passenger rail stations and associated facilities.”  Further in to the release it states that Baldwin Ave “will undergo a basic upgrade incorporating features . . .”.

By November 2005, a revised time line had been released on the ARTNL web site showing that construction was due for completion by March 2006, with the same design as shown in May 2004.

By November 2006, those timings had been revised again on the ARTNL website.

In February 2007 the ARTNL web site was shut down and replaced by the new ARTA web site, with this time no mention of a Baldwin Ave upgrade time line.

In the Ask Phoebe column in the Herald three years ago almost to the date (Jan 3 2008) a local resident asked:

Can you tell me what is happening with Baldwin Ave train station? Back in 2003 there was a big consultation with locals about refurbishing the station, and upgrading work was supposed to be finished in 2004, but it never began. Will it ever?

The refurbishment has been somewhat delayed, but the Auckland Regional Transport Authority hasn’t forgotten it, and it is looking at possible upgrade scenarios.

Interesting background, Alan and thank goodness we at last got there. It is always worrying when plans disappear and you start to wonder if they were planning to delete Baldwin Ave from the network.

Summer Rail Programme series: How It’s Looking At…

Greenlane

The new DL locos

Glen Eden

Baldwin update with 10 days to go

St George update

Baldwin update

Rossgrove Tce and Baldwin update

Homai Browns Rd, Manurewa

Church St East, Penrose

Waterfront trams

Bridge St, Papatoetoe

St George St, Papatoetoe rail bridge replacement

Remuera

Newmarket

Baldwin Ave

Quay Park

Purewa Eastern Line track work

Manukau’s new station

CBD Shared Spaces

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4 Comments

 
  1. Andrew says:

    Interesting history about the Baldwin Ave upgrade, now with completion well in sight.

    Now, about Mt Albert …

  2. patrick says:

    I agree
    about Mt Albert…

  3. [...] Rossgrove Tce and Baldwin update [...]

  4. [...] Rossgrove Tce and Baldwin update [...]

 

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