Heritage Tramway Construction Underway

After an absence of more than 50 years, electric trams are coming back to Auckland.

The redevelopment of Auckland’s waterfront – in the area known as the Wynyard Quarter – will be home to a new heritage tram project.

The proposal was first brought to the Auckland Regional Council’s transport and urban development committee in 2010, prior to the formation of the Auckland Council, by the Campaign for Better Transport and Auckland’s Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT). Feasibility studies carried out by the ARC and Sea+City Projects (now handed over to the Auckland Waterfront Development Agency) led to the development of a twophased proposal for the tramway.

Phase one focuses on Wynyard Quarter with a single-track loop circuiting the 30 ha site in a clockwise direction on a 1.5 km loop along Jellicoe Street, through Gateway Plaza, then down Halsey Street, along Gaunt Street and up Daldy Street (see map). This is planned to be ready in time for the Rugby World Cup. Sidings between Packenham and Madden Streets will house the trams.

A real point of difference

“The return of trams to Auckland’s streets will make a real point of difference for the Wynyard Quarter,” says John Dalzell, chief executive of the Auckland Waterfront Development Agency. “The concept of running trams around Wynyard Quarter will further activate the area for public use and enjoyment.”

Phase two will see the Heritage tramway construction underway After an absence of more than 50 years, electric trams are coming back to Auckland. trams linking to the CBD and connecting with existing public transport at Britomart and on Queen Street. The tramway will eventually link the future Wynyard Headland Park, North Wharf and the Viaduct Events Centre with the CBD and Queens Wharf.

The tram tracks also have the potential to carry light rail instead of trams as a long-term option, subject to the Auckland Council’s strategic plans.

Mike Lee, chairman of the Auckland Regional Council at the time, said in approving the project, “Auckland’s popular electric trams were removed from the city streets in 1956 which was a terrible mistake in my opinion. We would like to see the return of some of those same trams to Auckland’s waterfront as part of the council’s legacy to the people of Auckland.”

Authentic trams

MOTAT is being consulted on the technical aspects of tramway construction, and Christchurch Tramways is consulting on operation and management matters.

The circa 1920s tram cars are being leased from Bendigo Tramways and will give an authentic, historic experience to passengers. The first is a W2 class tram, and is operated by a driver and conductor. With a seating capacity of 52, it will be used at weekends and during busy holiday periods. The second, an X1 class tram, has a seating capacity of 32 and can be operated by the driver only; this will be used for the quieter mid-week periods.

The system has the capacity to ensure that both trams can be operated at the same time to give a combined seating capacity of 84 passengers.

Refurbishment of both trams is currently underway at the Bendigo Tramway Museum in Victoria, and will be complete by 25 May ready for transportation and shipping to New Zealand. They are expected to arrive in mid-June, and the tramway will be open to the public around mid-August.

Construction well underway

Construction of the heritage tramway in the Wynyard Quarter is well underway, and involves the laying of tracks and road renewal, as well as installing the supporting poles and overhead wires at approximately 6 m in height, building the tram stops, and removing or pruning the pohutukawa trees on Halsey and Gaunt Streets.

The tracks were designed in Auckland by Tonkin & Taylor and were manufactured and fabricated in Melbourne.

Work started over the Christmas/New Year holiday period to minimise disruption to businesses, residents and traffic, and is now progressing apace: 60% of the track has been laid along Halsey Street, with 50% laid along Gaunt Street.

For more information see http://www.waterfrontauckland.co.nz