One of the main issues in Auckland is that most of the city is built on volcanic rock types which are extremely hard and dense making them expensive to bore through. Or it is scoria which is light and aerated with large caverns filled with water creating difficulties with the high-water table.
Subways and light rail cost two to seven times more to build in the USA than Europe or Japan | NextBigFuture.com
Brian M. Rosenthal of the New York Times lists the causes of the $2.6 billion per mile New York subway construction. Excessive staffing, little competition,www.nextbigfuture.com
Interesting that america has higher than average costs to build railway than other countries at potentially $2.6 billion per mile, perhaps we face some of the challenges they do? Think it’s something that NZ is going to have to grapple with, that building something that is efficient and quality is going to cost. It’s just whether money spent will be put to use. I think with brown mentioning looking at other models that there’s potential for him to be seeking a model that quality is outweighed by cost. Hopefully it suits our needs whatever is proposed.
That's why there are only certain areas in Auckland where it's economic to build tunnels and why most train services are located above the ground. The lack of lava fields or scoria around the Waitemata Harbour is why tunnels are being considered for a second Harbour crossing. It's also why only part of the now scrapped Auckland Light Rail System was going to be underground.... from Mt Eden to the Manukau Harbour is pretty much all volcanic material.
.
and food waste programs.
