Auckland train network to close for 96 days for upgrade works

Friday, 8 November 2024

Auckland's rail disruptions are set to continue until 2026 as part of a $200 million upgrade program. The project aims to improve infrastructure and ease congestion once completed, despite frustrations during the lengthy closures.

The Auckland rail network is to close for 96 days next year in preparation for the opening of the City Rail Link.

The closure is needed so critical upgrades to the network can be carried out before the CRL opens.

Auckland Council says disruption will be kept to a minimum, with closures kept mainly to major holidays, weekends and late evenings.

Auckland’s rail network will shut down late next year for an estimated 96 days, as the Government and Auckland Council make a final push to complete the City Rail Link and improve the wider network.

The major infrastructure project has been delayed several times and caused a raft of businesses to close their doors, claiming the construction drove away foot traffic.

Transport Minister Simeon Brown says the Government would be fully funding the $200m needed to complete the rail network rebuild ahead of the CRL opening in 2026.

Brown said that in order to ensure the success of the CRL, the rail network rebuild needed to be completed ahead of its opening.

Works continue at the new Maungawhau station.

“Additional work is required to complete the rebuild to reduce further disruption to commuters. Over the next year, KiwiRail, Auckland Transport and Auckland One Rail have coordinated to deliver an extensive schedule of upgrades. This will include up to 96 days of full network closures across the city between this Christmas and January 2026.”

The scope of the works involved will include what Brown called critical upgrades across the network, such as enhancing tunnels, points equipment, retaining walls, replacing culverts, strengthening bridges and improving drainage infrastructure.

Auckland Transport says they have a comprehensive bus strategy in place to cover impacted train lines and networks when works are being carried out.

Brown said the upgrades need to happen now as Aucklanders would not tolerate much more disruption.

A section of the CRL between Britomart and Aotea Square.

“I have made my expectations clear to KiwiRail and Auckland Transport, that everything is done to ensure disruptions are minimised, and that work is undertaken 24/7 around the clock to make the most of every single hour the network is closed.”

“I think Aucklanders are feeling a sense of frustration with the constant delays, however, this work must happen prior to the City Railway opening. We cannot have it happening afterwards as Aucklanders won't tolerate that,” Brown said.

Construction at the station’s are in their final stages.

Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson says that KiwiRail and Auckland Transport have collaborated to keep disruption to a minimum, prioritising weekday peak services so that people can continue their regular routines during the week.

She said this approach means there will be rail closures during major holidays, weekends and late evenings.

Auckland’s rail network is set for 96 days of closure in 2025.

“Full closures are a cost-effective measure that reduces delivery costs by around 30%, while providing commuters with greater clarity on whether a line is open or closed. The temporary disruptions are necessary to develop a significantly improved rail network that Aucklanders can take pride in.”

As for the CRL itself, construction is expected to finish in November 2025 before the commissioning phase sets in.

“The commissioning of the trains and the testing of all of the systems is going to be one of the most critical elements going forward, and so that work will be happening concurrently with the rebuild,” Brown said.

When it opens in 2026 the CRL is expected to double the capacity of Auckland’s rail network, reducing congestion, and increase reliability for commuters.

Auckland Transport says it will also reduce travel times on the city’s rail network, with a journey between Henderson and the CBD taking 24 minutes less.

Meanwhile, a trip between Britomart and the new Maungawhau station in Mt Eden is expected to take 10 minutes on the new CRL line.

Brown said twice as many people will also be within 30 minutes of the city as a result of the new rail network.

Labour’s transport spokesperson Tangi Utikere said the CRL was an important project for the future of Auckland, but was hugely disruptive to people and businesses in the city.

“I urge the Minister of Transport to reassure Aucklanders that there will only be no further disruptions beyond what he has already committed to around Christmas and Easter/School Holiday periods.”

Construction on the CRL began in 2015 and has cost up to $7 billion.