IN WHAT Port Marlborough describes as a decisive transition from planning to delivery, work has begun on transforming Picton’s ferry terminal for use by new KiwiRail/Interislander rail/ro-paxes in 2029.
Physical works on the Waitohi Ferry Redevelopment Project are now underway, with demolition of the old Vehicle Access Bridge commencing this week in Picton.
Port Marlborough chief executive Rhys Welbourn said the work “is a clear and unambiguous signal that the WHDP is no longer theoretical, but actively underway”, an oblique reference toa campaign by some interests to transfer the South Island terminal to Clifford Bay near Blenheim.
Mr Welbourn described the new terminal as one of NZ’s most significant pieces of national transport infrastructure that confirms Waitohi Picton as the long-term home of the country’s inter-island ferry connection.
The Vehicle Access Bridge, a decades-old 250-metre concrete and steel structure, is being dismantled by Port Marlborough contractor HEB Construction.
The bridge was last used by vehicles accessing Interislander ferries prior to the retirement of Aratere in 2025 and its removal signals the clearing of legacy infrastructure to make way for modern, rail-enabled ferry facilities designed to meet NZ’s future transport needs, the port said.
Each of the bridge’s eight spans weighs close to 200 tonnes and is being removed using two cranes lifting in tandem. Once on the ground, the spans are cut into smaller sections, transported off site and processed for reuse, with approximately 90% of the material diverted from landfill and recycled into aggregate, aligning with and exceeding Port Marlborough’s sustainability targets.
“This week marks a turning point. We are now seeing physical change on the ground,” Mr Welbourn said. “This work clearly demonstrates the shared commitment of all project partners to advance the redevelopment, with investment locked in and the redevelopment happening now here in Marlborough.”
He said Picton’s role as the gateway between the North and South Islands is grounded in geography, history and function, and that the redevelopment builds on generations of investment and experience moving people and freight through Cook Strait.
“Waitohi Picton has connected New Zealand for generations. Those who first established the port here understood the logic of place, and this redevelopment reinforces that thinking with modern infrastructure that sits directly on State Highway 1 and the national rail network," Mr Welbourn said.
"What matters now is building resilient, efficient connections for the country, not chasing unproven ideas elsewhere.”
Following removal of the bridge, demolition of the existing linkspan at No.2 Long Arm Wharf will begin, clearing the site for construction of a new wharf and modern ferry interface capable of supporting the next generation of rail-enabled vessels.
Port Marlborough continues to work closely with Ferry Holdings, KiwiRail, port customers and technical partners to stage the works within a fully operational port environment, ensuring continuity of service, safety and environmental care throughout the build program.
"This is complex work in a live port, and we are managing it carefully and deliberately," Mr Welbourn said.