A tunnelled light rail network from Auckalnd’s city centre to the airport has been presented as the preferred option in a new push to get the major project back on track.
The findings represent the recommendations of the Auckland Light Rail Establishment Unit which was set up by the Government in April this year following the canning of the earlier light rail project in 2020.
The Government and Auckland Council have released the recommendations of the Auckland Light Rail team which Cabinet will consider later this year.
The Auckland Light Rail team engaged with more than 115 stakeholder groups and found there was strong support from communities along the proposed route.
The options ranged from a Melbourne-style modern tram to a London-style underground metro.
Tunnelled light rail was the preferred choice out of three short list options and would cost $14.6b. The report says “it provides the greatest level of benefits in terms of transport and urban development within the corridor, the least disruption, and the best opportunities for future network integration”.
Light rail would be partly tunnelled from the Wynyard Quarter to Mt Roskill, with the balance of the route running on the surface. It would incorporate underground stations in the city centre and on the isthmus including the university precinct.
The journey would start at the airport, then travel overland through Māngere town centre, cross the motorway to Bader Dr then along SH20 over Manukau Harbour. It will then proceed along SH20 to Mt Roskill. People will be able to board the train at stops along the route.
From Mt Roskill the light rail will travel underground and into the city centre ending at the Wynyard Quarter via the university and Queen St.
Another option proposes light rail along Dominion Rd featuring a modern tram and following the motorway with a cost of $9b.
The final option, costing $16.3b features light metro along Sandringham Rd and goes underground in a tunnel under the isthmus, Māngere and Onehunga Town Centres. It comes up to the street level in other areas.
Transport minister Michael Wood says the Government took a manifesto commitment to the election to get on with Auckland light rail and it’ll help the city’s economic recovery by supporting up to 16,000 jobs.
“The business case draws a clear conclusion that Auckland light rail is a necessary investment to lessen congestion and further future proof our biggest city. It is a critical piece of infrastructure to support more housing, to give people real transport choices, and to build a linked up transport network for Auckland.
“It will provide the base and first stage of the additional Waitematā Harbour crossing and a line out to the North-West, beginning a city-wide transport network, so it’s important that we make the best decision for the long term.
“Aucklanders want more jobs and housing as well as reduced congestion and emissions – we know we have to get on with it.
“We’re being open about the pros and cons across the options, like disruption to businesses, value for money, the shape of our public transport network, and the ability to open up housing along the corridor in Mt Roskill, Onehunga and Māngere. These will all be factors we consider before making a decision,” Wood says.
Mayor Phil Goff says the rapid transit corridor will enable the housing and job growth the city needs for the future.
“This area will cater for an additional 66,000 homes housing nearly a quarter of Auckland’s population growth over the next 30 years. It already provides a quarter of Auckland’s jobs, connecting the two biggest employment hubs in the city,” he says.
“The rapid transit connection is vital to enable this growth and address problems of congestion and carbon emissions. It is as much an urban development project as a critical transport connection.
“I welcome the Government’s commitment to it and to listening to the views of the Auckland community,” Goff says.
Following the Government’s decisions at the end of the year, detailed planning and design work is expected to start in early 2022 and the project will be delivered as a partnership between the Government, Auckland Council and Mana Whenua.
