Auckland’s rail and road network is set for a major upgrade with the Government committing up to $200 million to remove level crossings in Takanini and Glen Innes.
The move aims to ease congestion, improve safety, and maximise the benefits of the City Rail Link (CRL), Transport Minister Chris Bishop and Auckland Minister Simeon Brown have announced.
“The City Rail Link (CRL) project is on track to open next year. It will transform travel across much of Auckland with shorter travel times and reductions in traffic congestion among the significant benefits Aucklanders can look forward to,” Bishop says.
The funding will accelerate the removal of level crossings and replace them with grade-separated road bridges. The work will include constructing three new road bridges at Manuia Road, Taka Street, and Walters Road, as well as new station access bridges at Glen Innes, Te Mahia, and Takanini Stations. Two unsafe crossings at Spartan Road and Manuroa Road will be closed.
Level crossings have long been a frustration for Auckland drivers, causing delays and increasing safety risks, Bishop says.
“Most of us know the sinking feeling of seeing the lights start flashing and the boom gates lowering to signal an approaching train and mentally calculating the delay you’ll have to manage – after all, for truckies, tradies, couriers and many others on the roads, time is money and delays cost.”
Brown echoed this sentiment, saying the project will be a game-changer for Auckland’s transport network. “This is great news for Auckland and will unlock congestion across the city, and enable better flow of traffic,” he says.
The removal of level crossings will allow for more frequent train services, improving travel times and encouraging a shift away from car dependency. “One of CRL’s huge benefits for Aucklanders will be more frequent trains, giving people a viable alternative to car travel,” Bishop says.
Safety is another major driver behind the project. Over the past decade, Auckland’s level crossings have been the site of almost 70 crashes, over 250 pedestrian near-misses, and 100 vehicle near-misses. “That’s almost one incident a week,” Bishop noted.
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown welcomed the Government’s commitment, noting that Auckland Council had already earmarked its share of the funding in its Long-Term Plan.
“I’ve always been focused on getting Auckland moving. I made sure council’s share of the funding was included in the Long-Term Plan, so it’s great to see the government get on board and match the funding,” he says.
He also acknowledged the ongoing collaboration between central and local government in tackling longstanding infrastructure issues. “Level crossings was another problem left to me by the previous administration so it’s fantastic the government and council can partner to get the work done and improve safety. This is about getting a good deal for Aucklanders and we’re on track to do just that.”
The funding allocation remains subject to approval by the NZTA board, which is expected to confirm the investment in early April. Enabling works for the project are expected to be completed around the time the CRL opens next year.
