Planned Onehunga Station Will Need More Funding (Photos)

Onehunga becomes one of Auckland’s new railway hubs next year but it’s emerged that there are now some important unresolved issues and more funding is needed for the main station development.

Detailed designs are now being prepared for the platform and pedestrian access ways for the new Onehunga station at the former ITM site.

ONEHUNGA STATION: Old ITM store at lower end of Onehunga Mall

But there are some outstanding funding issues.

A plaza entrance from Onehunga Mall (and pedestrian access from both Princes St and Nielson St) is planned for the station as is a small temporary park and ride but, while these are important components of the overall design, there is no funding for either.

Original Onehunga station used by as Railway Enthusiasts office

The Railway Enthusiasts Society has also agreed in principle to the relocation of their building, which is the former Onehunga railway station and presently used for the society’s headquarters at 38 Aldred St. But it will cost $282,000 to relocate the heritage station – money also not allocated.

The society’s committee say outstanding issues are the retention of ownership of the building and its heritage style and value; identification and agreement on the occupancy of the building on the land proposed, issues such as rental and security and access by member.

“In terms of timing, relocation would not be favoured prior to the comprehensive development of the site, which property analysts have recommended be considered in the medium term recognising the unfavourable market conditions.”

There is another tricky problem: The designs so far show a significant gradient in the southwest corner to the platform and talks are underway to see whether a gentler gradient can be achieved to ensure ease of access for pedestrians.

Curve alongside ITM building

Today’s ARC transport committee was told the timing for the Onehunga branch line is no more exact than sometime “by mid-winter next year.”

The neglected ITM area needs serious development

Other points of interest that emerged:

• The idea is for the site to be used in the “medium term” for the mix of ground floor retail and upper level residential with the station on the southern section and a park and ride on the northern section

• ARTA is considering the integration of rail and bus services in Onehunga and options include bringing some bus services through the site or alongside Onehunga Mall.

The Maungakiekie community board also has listed its wants:

• it wants to incorporate a strong retail anchor so as to integrate the station with the southern area of the Mall
• incorporate a Park and Ride Facility with good passive surveillance so as to reduce the risk of vandalism and theft of vehicles
• successfully incorporate the Bus Transit Station, located in Upper Municipal Place, through the use of urban design features

And the board’s concerns?

• That the preferred diagonal platform could limit the permanent development of the site
• That because the platform will be considerably lower than the entranceway from the mall it may be perceived as a difficult access.
• The planned access to the station may be difficult for pedestrians to see when approaching down the mall towards the station
• The current access to the eastern side of the line is very limited, which could again inhibit successful permanent development of the site.
• The siting of the historic railway station on the eastern side of the line may not be the best position for this heritage building because of both the poor visibility and the lack of access. This could seriously diminish its use.

Meanwhile, development work continues.

CROSSING: Tracks replaced at level crossings

Workers have rehabilitated the existing single track on its current alignment, renewed rails and sleepers, and upgraded the formation and drainage as necessary. The old track has been removed, earthworks completed and the track replaced at level crossings. Ballasting and tamping of the new track, which currently ends at Galway Road, is underway. Project Dart says its next step is to upgrade eight level crossings along the sign as well as associated pedestrian level crossings.

The junction between the Southern Line at Penrose and the Onehunga branch line will be upgraded to allow remote control of signals and a 30 minute service frequency.

Tracks lie around ITM site as work continues