Auckland's City Rail Link work starts

Monday, 21 December 2015

Work has started on Auckland's $2.5 billion rail tunnel, and the council says construction will begin in earnest by mid-2016.

The preliminary work began in the central city on Monday morning after a blessing of the worksite by kaumatua.

Initial works were due to include a new stormwater pipe under Albert Street so the existing one can be removed when the City Rail Link (CRL) work starts.

Auckland Transport's CRL project director Chris Meale described starting the work as a great milestone.

Auckland mayor Len Brown said it had been anticipated 'for almost a century'.

The 3.5km rail loop will run beneath the city and include two new underground stations at Aotea and Karangahape Road, as well as a redeveloped Mount Eden Station.

The earliest opening date is 2021, however the central government have disagreed with the council about the timeline.

Green MP Denise Roche said the government should fast-track the project.

'Aucklanders deserved more progress on the CRL in 2015 than simply a new storm-water pipe,' he said.

Roche said rail passenger numbers have jumped 22.6 per cent in the last year, while car use has stayed flat.