Wiri Depot Upgrade

Article written by Henry Watson – Senior Rail Project Engineer

Vitruvius is proud to have supported Auckland Transport (AT) in delivering the Wiri Depot upgrade project which went into use in November 2024.

The 550m depot is the main maintenance and stabling facility for Auckland Transports new Electric Multiple Units (EMUs) trains. The project features 10 brand-new stabling roads built by John Holland between October 2023 – November 2024, where Neil Mason acted as the Engineer to Contract, with Henry Watson managing the day-to-day as the Engineer’s Representative.

The entire depot was built up from scratch, covering a number of disciplines containing earthworks, drainage, track, Overhead Line Equipment (OLE), lighting, signalling, Communications, Signalling and Rail systems (CSR), Electrical and Bulding services (E&B).

The depot is a crucial part of infrastructure for AT, serving as the hub for the new fleet for the City Rail Link (CRL). Each train visits the depot at least once a month for maintenance, undergoing minor inspections every 1,000 kilometres. As mileage increases, the inspections become progressively more comprehensive, ensuring the fleet remains in peak condition.

Wiri also marked the starting point of the Third Main Line, with a section of the new line completed in 2025 as part of a staged delivery programme. The additional track allows freight trains to operate independently of commuter services, reducing congestion and improving network efficiency.

It was an incredible project to be a part of, being able to watch the depot being built from the ground up.