Bruce McLaren Road rail level crossing
We’re planning to replace western rail level crossings with safer connections.
Project details
Start date
March 2026End date
TBCLocation
HendersonTransport involved
Walking, driving and cyclingOverview
To find safer, smoother ways to keep you moving as the city grows and more trains are needed, we’re planning for the future of the Bruce McLaren Road rail crossing.
It is part of the Western Rail Crossings Programme, to allow more frequent trains while keeping traffic moving, improving safety and supporting urban development.
Bruce McLaren Road is an important local and freight route in an industrial part of Henderson.
High freight volumes, long diversion distances and nearby rail infrastructure mean that any safety improvements will need to carefully balance rail operations with access for businesses and residents.
Latest updates
From March 2026, we engaged with our partners, stakeholders, businesses and local communities. We shared information about the Rail Level Crossings Programme and heard initial feedback. Groups we talked to included:
- local government representatives, like local boards and councillors
- mana whenua representatives
- transport advocacy organisations
- community stakeholders, like schools and business associations
- residents and commuters, who regularly use rail crossings.
What we've heard from the community
We received 185 survey responses for Bruce McLaren Road. We heard:
- there is strong support for a bridge or underpass to separate road and rail (grade-separation)
- it is an important connection with limited alternative routes
- there are regular congestion and queueing, especially with trains
- there are extended barrier closures due to nearby station
- it is a complex layout with multiple movements and side roads
- locals have mixed experiences, with ongoing concerns about delays and behaviour.
Bruce McLaren Road is a priority freight route, meaning any restrictions or closure would have significant impacts on business access and servicing.
Redirecting freight traffic could shift heavy vehicles onto nearby residential streets, creating safety, noise and amenity issues. It could also require upgrades to surrounding intersections.
This crossing is also close to the priority urban development area of Henderson, so future options need to consider how best to integrate with planned growth and redevelopment.
The rail corridor in this area is already constrained by nearby stations and the existing stabling yard, limiting the potential for a rail viaduct or trench. There are also plans to expand the stabling yard, which will require additional space.
While visual impacts may be less sensitive in this industrial area, construction complexity and disruption to the transport network remain important considerations.
Timeline
Investment case
During the next two years, we’ll identify the preferred approach to replace western rail level crossings with safer connections, and how to prioritise when they’re built. This is key to developing an investment case to seek funding for future phases.
This stage includes:
- Technical assessments: such as traffic and pedestrian counts, safety audits, ground investigations, environmental and flood analysis, and urban design studies. We’ll consider past trends, current conditions and future needs.
- Community input: we’ll engage mana whenua, local boards, elected members, schools, businesses and communities to understand how crossings are used today and what’s needed for the future.
We’ll share what we find to support discussions about potential options, including key constraints and trade-offs. Community feedback will help shape the preferred approach for each crossing.
Statutory approvals
After an approved investment case, the next step will be to seek funding for statutory approvals. These are needed to consent or protect the land required for a future crossing.
Protecting land now means that projects can be constructed in stages as funding is available.
It also provides property owners, businesses and the community with certainty on where transport routes will be in the future. This can help people make informed decisions about their own land and the development of that land.
During this phase, we will:
- Engage one-to-one with directly affected landowners.
- Continue working with elected members, mana whenua and stakeholders.
Detailed design and construction
Designs will continue to be refined through targeted engagement in this phase.
Construction will be staged according to network needs. While we expect to start replacing some rail crossings in the Inner West from early to mid-2030s, timeframes are dependent on funding.
During this phase, we will:
- Engage one-to-one with directly affected landowners.
- Continue working with elected members, mana whenua, and key stakeholders.
- Communicate clearly with communities about construction timing, disruption, and how we'll manage the impacts of construction.
Community feedback
Project background
The next 20 to 30 years will see more people living, working and studying close to the rail corridor, especially train stations. That means more people taking trains, walking and cycling to stations and more activity around the rail corridor.
Replacing rail crossings with safer connections is key to unlocking the full City Rail Link benefits of allowing even more trains to run in the future while making it safer and easier to get around your local area. It also supports urban development.
If we don’t replace level crossings people may take more risks as barrier arms are down more often and there will be increased congestion, impacting the economy.