The project to re-open the Wairoa-Napier rail line takes a significant step forward today with track gangs beginning work on the line.
The line is being re-opened by KiwiRail using funding from the Government's Provincial Growth Fund, and will be used to transport logs to Napier.
KiwiRail has had structure staff working on the bridges, and contractors clearing vegetation, but this is the first time track staff will be on the line, said Henare Clarke, KiwiRail's Group General Manager Network Services.
"This is an important milestone," he said.
The five-person track gang, based in Palmerston North, will be re-sleepering the track, a vital part of getting it ready to go again, Mr Clarke said.
KiwiRail has estimated that using the Wairoa-Napier line to move the logs to Napier could take up to 5,714 trucks a year off the road, and reduce carbon emissions by 1292 tonnes.
Severe weather in March caused some extra damage to the line but KiwiRail is still confident it will have the line ready for trains to run by the end of the year.
The Government has allocated $5 million to the project, which is expected to take two years to fully complete.
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