Karanga-a-Hape Station precinct integration project
After consulting with the local community, we’re making improvements to the Karanga-a-Hape Station precinct ahead of the opening of the City Rail Link.
On this page
Project details
Start date
July 2024End date
Late 2025Location
Karanga-a-Hape precinct, Auckland CentralTransport involved
Walking, driving, bus and cyclingOverview
When the City Rail Link opens, it will be even easier for people to get to and from the Karangahape neighbourhood. We want to make it easier, safer and more welcoming for people to move around the area. We are doing this by:
- creating a new shared space on upper Mercury Lane
- installing new pedestrian crossings on Pitt Street, East Street and Canada Street
- widening footpaths
- creating separated cycleways.
The opening of the CRL and Karanga-a-Hape Station will transform the neighbourhood into a major transport hub, connecting buses and trains from many areas of Auckland.
We are also improving these connections by:
- creating new bus lanes on Pitt Street between Karangahape Road and Vincent Street
- adding bus stops outside the Beresford Square station entrance
- shifting the eastbound bus stop on Karangahape Road to bring services closer to the Pitt Street intersection.
Due to the streetscape changes, there will be changes to the ways people can drive around the area. We are also making changes to the location of parking spaces and loading zones.
Latest updates
On Friday 29 May 2026, the Traffic Control Committee (TCC) formally approved a resolution for Mercury Lane to be designated as a Pilot Shared Space. This means pedestrians have priority over motor vehicles.
The shared space will extend along Mercury Lane from south of the station to the top by Karangahape Road. It includes a short section of Cross Street. A special road surface, signage and street furniture will show drivers this is a slow-speed, shared space where pedestrians have priority. No parking will be available in the shared space.
The shared space will have raised bollards that will be able to be lowered for authorised local vehicles only. This will be a pilot ‘traffic filter’ scheme for up to 2 years — with the opportunity for local input before being made permanent.
Pilot Shared Space objectives
We’ll manage access to carparks off Mercury Lane for:
- immediate residents
- businesses
- property owners.
We’ll also manage use of the loading zone for properties and businesses right next to the pilot area, and emergency services access.
Another objective is to prioritise safety and make sure there are no pedestrian or vehicle safety incidents (measured by incident reports). We expect more pedestrians to use Mercury Lane to get to the Karanga-a-Hape Station, along with those more generally using the space.
Other objectives include:
- making sure there are no vehicles travelling in the wrong direction
- reliable operation and responsiveness of the bollard and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system
- making sure there are no delays for residents accessing the restricted area between the 2 sets of bollards
- defining clear operational procedures for entry and exit at both southern and northern bollard locations
- providing a process for exception handling, system maintenance and future development.
Download the primary success measures
Auckland Transport will collect public feedback throughout the pilot. If you’d like to submit feedback, email karangahape@at.govt.nz.
Due to the streetscape changes, vehicles will move around the area differently. We have already made the following permanent changes:
- a new right turn from Karangahape Road into Upper Queen Street
- reverted Cross Street to its original direction of travel, from east to west.
Project benefits
Safe and seamless journeys
