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Last updated
Project status Design

Project details

Start date

October 2025

End date

Late 2026 or early 2027

Location

Takanini, Auckland

Transport involved

Driving, bus, cycling and walking

Overview

A number of level crossings along the Southern Line in Takanini will be replaced with new road bridges or walking and cycling bridges. These new bridges will separate trains from the roads. This will stop traffic delays and lower the risk of incidents between trains and vehicles or pedestrians. We expect to start work on the new bridges in 2027.

To help keep traffic moving in the meantime, we’re planning some changes to busy, frequently congested parts of Great South Road and connecting side streets.

We completed three of these changes in April 2026:

  • New broken yellow lines (no stopping at all times) at targeted parts of Great South Road between Challen Close, Manuia Road and Maru Road to keep parked cars from blocking traffic flow.
  • New broken yellow lines on two parts of Manuroa Road - across from Princess Street and across from Oakleigh Avenue - so vehicles can easily pass around right-turning vehicles.
  • Yellow ‘do not block’ markings on the Great South Road and Walters Road roundabout to discourage vehicles from queuing where they would block traffic flow.

Now we're ready to share plans for our next set of projects:

  • Make room for more vehicle lanes on Great South Road between Manuroa Road and Glenora Road.
  • Install new off-road cycle lanes and shared paths on Great South Road for people walking and cycling. 
  • Change the roundabout at Walters Road and Porchester Road into a traffic light-controlled intersection to keep traffic moving efficiently at all times of day.

Timeline

Targeted engagement on early 2026 projects

Completed
October to November 2025

We engaged with directly impacted properties and stakeholders on our projects planned for early 2026 before City Rail Link opens.

Complete the small pre-CRL optimisation projects

Completed
April 2026

We completed the three smaller pre-CRL optimisation projects on Great South Road (between Challen Close, Manuia Road and Maru Road), Manuroa Road (at Princess Street and Oakleigh Avenue) and at the Great South Road and Walters Road roundabout.

Public engagement on the Great South Road extra lanes project

In progress
28 April to 16 May 2026

Public engagement is now underway on our plans to make room for more lanes on Great South Road and to install new off-road walking and cycling paths.

Public engagement on Porchester and Walters Road intersection projects

Upcoming
Mid May to early June 2026

The designs for our signalisation project will be ready for public feedback. We'll be engaging on this project with the Level Crossing Programme team. 

Complete stage 1 of Great South Road extra lanes project

Upcoming
June 2026

We will complete stage 1 of the Great South Road extra lanes project, painting the new road markings, broken yellow lines, and removing the on-road cycle lanes, before CRL opens. 

Complete stage 2 of Great South Road and Porchester/Walters Road intersection project

Upcoming
Late 2026

After reviewing the public feedback and finalising the design plans, we will complete stage 2 of the Great South Road extra lanes project by installing the new off-road walking and cycling paths. We will also deliver the Porchester and Walters Road intersection signalisation project. 

Give feedback

Project background

Auckland Network Optimisation aims to make Auckland’s network more effective. It will do this by improving and providing effective travel choices and road safety. It is a joint programme between Auckland Transport and NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).

As Auckland continues to grow, so does our need to move more people and goods more efficiently. We also need to build resilience in both existing and new communities.

Aucklanders have told us they want a transport system that:

  • is convenient, well-connected, accessible and reliable
  • moves them around if they choose to drive, walk, ride a train, bus, bike or ferry.

To keep our city moving, we are making smarter, more dynamic use of our roads, footpaths and cycleways. New transport infrastructure is important but it’s also expensive. We’re adopting new technologies and systems to use our limited space and funding better.

We look at making relatively inexpensive and quick changes to our roads and paths to:

  • improve efficiency, safety and agility
  • support economic growth outcomes
  • reduce reliance on only major infrastructure to improve our transport network.

Small strategic changes, such as converting existing lanes to new bus or transit lanes, keep people and goods moving. These changes also support reliable public transport which contributes to a more connected, healthier city.

We will work with the community to deliver on transport initiatives that benefit all road users. Whether taking kids to schools, getting to and from work, cycling in the park, going shopping or heading to events, we're part of your life.

We're working to shape our city and provide transport choices for a growing, vibrant Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland.