Date: 18 May 2026

Construction is ready to begin on upgrades to Mount Albert’s Carrington Road to support local housing development and improve access and safety.

A sod turning event was held last week with Simon Watts (Minister for Auckland), Councillor Richard Hills, Mount Albert electorate MP Helen White, Auckland Transport CEO Stacey van der Putten, mana whenua representatives, members of the Albert-Eden Local Board and project partners.

The upgrades are needed because over the next 10 to 15+ years, at least 4,000 homes will be built near the Unitec campus site, along with retail and commercial facilities, and parks and open spaces. Te Kukūnga Waka (Carrington Residential Development) will increase the number of people using Carrington Road and change how it is used and accessed.

Speaking at the sod turning event, Richard Hills says Carrington Road is a vital route.

“Carrington Road currently carries around 15,000 vehicles a day, providing access to bus and train services, State Highway 16, the Northwestern Cycleway, local homes, businesses, education providers and surrounding suburbs.”

“As the Te Kukūnga Waka development delivers new homes, the number of people using this road, whether they’re driving, cycling, walking or catching public transport, will continue to grow”, says Councillor Hills.

“This project is about getting the foundations right. It upgrades roads, underground services and utilities now, so the corridor can safely support new homes, new families and a busier neighbourhood well into the future.”

Auckland Transport CEO Stacey van der Putten says the project will prioritise the movement of people along Carrington Road. 

“To keep Auckland moving and thriving we need to give all Aucklanders transport options that make their journeys reliable, easier and safer. This project is a prime example of how we’re working to shape our city and provide transport choices for a growing, vibrant Auckland, whether it’s driving, using public transport, walking or cycling. 

“It’s an exciting time for transport in Auckland with the City Rail Link set to open later this year. This will see faster and more frequent train journeys across our region, including to and from Mount Albert.”

Auckland Transport is leading the upgrade of Carrington Road, working with the Tāmaki Makaurau rōpū of Marutūāhu, Ngāti Whātua and Waiohua-Tāmaki who are leading the residential development. Auckland Transport is also working with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and National Infrastructure Funding and Financing (NIFF).

What are the project objectives? 

• Utilities upgrade that supports new homes, jobs and services nearby.
• Make Carrington Road safer and more accessible, with increased capacity to move people.
• Provide people with improved travel options, including bus priority, improved walking and cycling facilities, place-making, and safety improvements.

The project will help support housing outcomes, growth, and intensification in the surrounding area. A new pedestrian bridge will also be built over the rail line, adjacent to the traffic overbridge at the southern end of Carrington Road.

What are the benefits of the upgrade? 

• Improved access to a wider range of transport choices.
• High-quality infrastructure that supports local development and growth. 
• Better connections between transport modes.  
• Significantly improved safety and accessibility for people walking and cycling. 

How much will it cost?

• The cost is estimated at around $113 million with funding available through the Government’s Infrastructure Acceleration Fund (IAF) managed by NIFF.
• This consists of: ~$700,000 enabling works (completed), $112.5m Carrington Road widening, and stage 2 – the Mount Albert rail overbridge.

Who is doing the construction?

• The work will be done by contractor Dempsey Wood, whose previous projects include the Albany Bus Station extension, New Lynn’s Clark Street bridge and a wide range of infrastructure for the Hobsonville Point Development.
• Construction is scheduled to begin in June and it’s estimated to take two years to fully complete.

-ENDS-

Notes to editor:

What’s being built?

• A 1.6km upgrade along Carrington Road.
• Major underground services upgrades – stormwater, gas, watermain and utilities.
• Collaborating with Watercare to incorporate a planned transmission watermain upgrade into the project with a “dig once” philosophy to deliver change more efficiently and avoid future disruption for the Carrington Road community.
• Power undergrounding where affected by road widening. Power lines on the western side of Carrington Road (Unitec side) will be undergrounded as part of road widening. There will also be localised undergrounding on the eastern side, including areas near Gladstone School.
• A new pedestrian bridge over the rail line, adjacent to the traffic overbridge at the southern end of Carrington Road.

Key features people will see

• T2 transit lanes during peak hours.
• New, physically separated cycleways on both sides of the road for rider safety.
• Improved footpaths and safer crossings.
• New and upgraded traffic lights at key intersections.
• Raised tables at side roads to slow vehicles and improve safety.
• New stormwater network to better cope with future rain events and a changing climate.
• Road resurfacing and localised pavement repairs of Carrington Road from New North Road intersection to Great North Road intersection.
• Significant tree planting – at least two new trees for every one removed.

About Dempsey Wood

• A family-owned civil infrastructure company with over 30 years experience delivering projects across Auckland and the upper North Island.
• Work is focused on building safer, more resilient communities through high quality infrastructure.
• With its own plant, crews and end to end capability, Dempsey Wood delivers practical and efficient solutions for both public and private sector clients.
• A strong local presence and value working closely with communities where we live and work.
• Proud to have delivered projects in the Point Chevalier and Mount Albert areas and to continue contributing to local connectivity through the Carrington Road project.