Auckland Transport and KiwiRail have begun work on a major project to replace rail level crossings in Takanini and Glen Innes with eight new bridges, a move they say will improve safety, reduce congestion, and support more frequent train services once the City Rail Link opens.
Pre-construction work starts this week, with the main construction of new bridges at Takanini, Te Mahia and Glen Innes stations scheduled to begin over summer.
The project is part of a wider plan to upgrade rail infrastructure, with level crossing removals seen as critical to carrying more passengers on faster, more frequent services over the next three decades. Between 2013 and 2025, Auckland recorded 1,242 level crossing collisions and near-miss incidents, 68% involving barrier arms.
Auckland Council and NZ Transport Agency, have brought forward funding to deliver the Takanini and Glen Innes projects. Auckland Transport is also planning for the eventual removal of crossings on the Western Line to keep pace with future passenger growth.
Earlier this year, the Government committed $200 million towards the initiative.
Auckland Transport chief executive Dean Kimpton says more level crossings will be removed in the lead-up to the City Rail Link opening.
“We’re now getting on with the next stage of level crossing removals in Takanini and Glen Innes to support future increases in train frequencies,” he says.
“People living near rail lines will find it safer and easier to get around their communities – whether they’re walking, biking, driving or catching the train.”
Kimpton says Auckland Transport had moved from funding approval to breaking ground in just six months.
“There’s a lot of work to get done but people can now see things are happening,” he says.
About 200 construction workers will be employed on the projects this year, with similar numbers expected when the road bridges are built.
KiwiRail chief metro and capital programme officer David Gordon says the investment will have long-term safety benefits.
“Collisions and near misses at level crossings can take a huge toll on all those involved, including emergency services and train drivers,” he says.
“By replacing level crossings with bridges, we reduce congestion and remove the risk of people behaving unsafely at level crossings.”
The project includes new pedestrian bridges at Takanini, Te Mahia and Glen Innes stations, along with road bridges to replace crossings at Spartan Rd, Manuroa Rd, Manuia Rd, Taka St and Walters Rd. Construction of the road bridges is dependent on property acquisition and final designs.
Critical to keep freight moving
The National Road Carriers Association welcomed the announcement but urged Auckland Transport to conduct detailed traffic modelling.
“The City Rail Link is going to be a game changer for Auckland and getting these level crossings replaced is critical to keep freight moving,” NRC chief executive Justin Tighe-Umbers says.
“Bridge crossings of the railway are a much-needed part of the roading network at Takanini, which is an important light industry area for the city.
“Detailed traffic modelling is needed to ensure the new over-bridges minimise delays to freight transport both in the final layout and during construction.”
He says congestion caused by the current crossings was already a problem and would only worsen as rail movements increased.
He added it’s important the new bridges are built as quickly as possible for both road safety, to keep traffic moving and to minimise road freight disruption in the area.
“Four road crossings in the area are reducing to three bridge crossings, so it is important these crossings are planned well and in the right parts of the roading network for maximum traffic flow,” he says.
“Another project that will help ease the congestion is Mill Road, a Road of Regional Significance, this project that began in 2009 should have been completed long before CRL was operational however it was put on hold in 2021 and will now not be ready in time.”
