Work on the station upgrade began in 2019 and it was one of four shovel-ready transport projects that received Government funding last year.
The Government provided $47m for the Papatoetoe project, while approximately $12m came from the Regional Fuel Tax and the balance has come from Crown Infrastructure Partners and development contributions.
When the design contract was awarded in early 2019 it was expected to cost $58.8m, but according to Polley the cost of the project has increased due to rising costs and the impact of Covid-19 on international supply chains.
AT had originally planned to have the station up and running by late 2020, or early 2021. But last year’s lockdowns and other logistical issues around shutting down the rail lines for the work meant the timeline for the project was extended.