GEDA – a powerful partner in Auckland

A GEDA personnel and materials lift is taking New Zealand's largest-ever traffic infrastructure project to the next level.

The gigantic City Rail Link (CRL) is an innovative rail system that is under construction in Auckland, New Zealand. This is New Zealand's largest traffic infrastructure project to date. The entire Auckland network will benefit from the extension of the rail system. More trains can be used, peak travel times can be better managed and rail capacity will at least double. The 3.45 km twin tunnel, which was constructed up to 42 metres under downtown Auckland, is connecting the city centre's Waitematā Station with Maungawhau on the Western Line. Two new train stations will open the central city access. The project costs are now estimated at some USD 5.493 billion.

Two new train stations

To provide central city access, two new train stations have been built: Te Waihorotiu (Aotea) at Victoria and Wellesley Street in the city centre and Karanga-a-Hape with entrances at Mercury Lane and Beresford Square. The names are cultural and represent key elements of iwi tradition. They were also inspired by geographical features near the stations. At Karanga-a-Hape, a GEDA BL 2000 is currently being used for construction of the train station. The personnel and materials lift has been installed in a shaft, where it facilitates the vertical transport of persons and a wide range of materials needed for construction. Thanks to our dependable long-time dealer, Layher Ltd. New Zealand, we were able to deliver to end customer NorthShore Scaffolding in Auckland.

Efficient vertical transport below Auckland

The GEDA lift solution used in Auckland offers unique and impressive benefits. Whenever heavy loads are to be lifted or lowered, the GEDA BL 2000 delivers top efficiency for the building work. The personnel and materials lift can carry up to 2,000 kg / 23 people and its lifting speed of up to 55 m per minute is a true GEDA powerhouse. The single version was installed for the train station construction. There is also a twin version available with two separate cars for transport. For even greater convenience and user-friendly operation, this lift has a long list of control options from the latest generation.

The platform size of 1.45 x 3.20 x 2.10 m also allows for the transport of bulky goods up to a transport height of 250 m. At the construction site for the future train station in New Zealand, the GEDA BL 2000 has been installed on an iron beam and can easily manage a height of 32 m. This will serve five stops, each of which has a high and closed landing-level safety gate. This ultra-safe option eliminates the need to mind the gap!

The GEDA BL 2000 is available in a standard version and a premium version. The premium version used in Auckland offers an array of additional features. For instance, the display can show the trip history such as start and stop time, error messages, load per trip, etc. Depending on the construction site or individual customer preference, at just a touch of the button, the GEDA BL 2000 Premium can be switched from 2000 kg/63 Amps to 1500 kg or 1000 kg/32 Amps, meaning that the lift is suitable for a wide variety of uses.

The integrated wind sensor, also available on the display, is a notable feature, although not a necessity for the shaft in Auckland. It ensures that the lift can safely reach underground stations automatically even when winds are extreme.

If the lift remains stationary after a pre-programmed time, it will automatically return to the underground station. What’s more, the Premium version can also be used as a materials-only lift, i.e. each level can be reached even without operating personnel in the car. Last but definitely not least, remote maintenance and operations are no problem for the Premium lift.

Customers looking for a reliable partner should remember the GEDA name, no matter what the continent. The lift can be accessed online from Bavaria for customer support purposes.