Project overview
Opening City Rail Link means faster journeys, especially from the west. Trains will run more frequently across the network, making it easier to connect with people and places.
Initially after City Rail Link opens, the amount of time barrier arms are down at rail crossings (a place where you walk or drive directly over train tracks) will remain similar to how they are now.
But over time, as Auckland grows and rail demand increases, we’re planning even more trains – from the 2030s from Mt Albert on the western rail line. Current crossings won’t work as they do today, with increased traffic delays and safety risks if we don’t replace them.
We’re replacing rail crossings across Auckland to allow more trains to run while keeping traffic moving and making it safer to get around your community.
Along the rail line from Kingsland to Swanson, we are investigating options for replacing the 21 western rail crossings with safer connections to be ready for more trains.
We’re planning now for a future where people can continue to move safely and smoothly around their community and across the rail corridor safely.
Our plan for the west
There are challenges and trade-offs when deciding the right solution for each crossing. These include how much they cost, impacts on the community and access, and what is technically possible.
Planning for the west will consider the characteristics and needs of each community along the corridor. This will help us find the best balance between safety, network performance, cost efficiency and community outcomes.
Project areas
The Inner West
The Outer West
How rail crossings could be replaced
Replacing rail crossings can be challenging. Finding the best solution for each location involves considering:
- the specific characteristics of each location
- the surrounding area, people who live there and how the new crossing will be used
- considering the overall affordability of what is needed at each of the 21 crossings
Each option to replace a level crossing has benefits and trade-offs.
As we move through the planning process, we’ll be engaging with elected members, freight, businesses, developers, property owners and the community to help decide and design the best solution for each crossing.
What happens
The road and footpath end on each side of the level crossing with no access across the tracks.
Where do people go instead
People walking, cycling and in vehicles use other nearby routes, with improvements, to get across – often existing overbridges or underpasses.
This is the lowest-cost option overall, but can mean longer journeys, more traffic on other streets, and changes to how people move around their neighbourhood. It also means streets are quieter and safer with less cars passing through.
What happens
The road closes on each side of the rail crossing as with option 1, but walking and cycling access is maintained with a bridge over or tunnel under the rail line for people to get across. Vehicles cannot use this.
Where do people go instead
A new bridge or underpass allows people walking, cycling or using mobility aids to cross the rail corridor safely. People travelling by vehicle may need to use different routes, and nearby roads may need upgrades to manage extra traffic.
This option maintains access for local trips to schools, shops and stations while reducing safety risks. It means streets are quieter and safer with less cars passing through.
Bridges and underpasses usually need space for long, gently sloped ramps, or lifts at station locations. Good design can help reduce visual impacts and address personal safety concerns.
The size and time needed for construction for this option is much less than a road bridge.
What happens
The road rises up into a bridge to carry people walking, cycling, and in vehicles over the tracks.
Where do people go instead
This is a popular option because people and vehicles can usually follow a similar route.
Bridges are large structures, typically 300 to 500 m long. They can have significant visual, noise and property impacts. Bridges often require land purchase and changes to local street layouts. They can also limit space for adding more rail tracks in the future.
Road bridges take multiple years to build.
What happens
The road dips down under the tracks in a ‘trench’ that would need to be very long (300 to 500m).
Where do people go instead
People and vehicles stay on the road while train tracks pass overhead.
Underpasses can feel less safe for people walking or cycling. Being separated from street level can also make it harder to design and use connections to nearby roads, stations and places
Building an underpass involves extensive construction[B(8.1] work and there is a high risk of affecting important underground pipes and cables. Underpasses are complex to build under an operating railway, depend heavily on ground conditions and require a lot of space. Once in use, they can also face ongoing drainage and flooding issues.
The elevation and shape of the land surrounding a crossing would also have an impact on how feasible an underpass would be at that location.
What happens
The rail line goes down into a trench below road level, or up onto a viaduct above roads.
Where do people go instead
People and vehicles stay on the road at ground level while trains pass either above them on a viaduct or below them in a trench.
Trenching can transform urban areas by removing the physical barrier created by the railway and opening up opportunities for redevelopment, as New Lynn has shown.
However, both trenching and building viaducts are extremely expensive and take many years. They often require 1 to 1.5 km of trench or viaduct, major relocation of underground services and long rail closures during construction. Due to their length, a rail trench or viaduct is likely contact with other structures or landmarks.
Because of these costs and impacts, these options are unlikely to be affordable at most western rail crossing locations.
Balancing the costs and benefits
Across the corridor, there are significant cost and impact trade offs:
- Building a bridge or underpass at all 21 crossings to maintain the level of access for people walking, cycling and driving is likely to be unaffordable.
- Closing all rail crossings to vehicles while keeping walking and cycling access would be more affordable. However, the impact on the road network would make this unfeasible.
- A middle ground approach would use different solutions depending on what works best for each area.
Right sizing the response for each location is key to making it affordable to build new connections and to get the funding to make them happen.
Some communities may see new bridges. Others may see pedestrian access being maintained and vehicles re routed. Being open about these trade offs and involving people in the choices is an important and ongoing part of this process.
Benefits of removing rail crossings
Keeps traffic moving
People, buses, freight and emergency services will have fewer delays caused by barrier arms. Travel will be more predictable, and trains can run smoothly without slowing at crossings.
Safer local journeys
People will no longer need to cross active rail tracks, taking away the direct conflict point between trains, people and traffic. Local neighbourhoods will be safer and quieter with less traffic moving through.
More trains now and in the future
Removing rail crossings unlocks more frequent trains for passengers and freight, supporting a more efficient rail network with more trains coming more often and able to carry more people.
Supporting urban development and better public space
Safer connections improve access around neighbourhoods and town centres. Better public spaces increase foot traffic and support local businesses.
What this means for our communities
The best solutions aren’t just about engineering and traffic flow but creating something safe that works with and for communities along the Western Line.
The Western Rail Level Crossings Programme is about:
- keeping local communities safe around rail tracks
- keeping people moving on trains and roads by reducing delays at barrier arms
- supporting more trains in the future, and unlocking the full benefit of the CRL as the west continues to grow
- creating better places by using rail crossing replacements to improve station access, support urban redevelopment and create more pleasant streets and spaces along the rail lines.
Real trade-offs will have to be made, including:
- some crossings closing, which means longer journeys for some trips
- new bridges or underpasses bringing change to some neighbourhoods and how people move around them
- some properties needing to be acquired to create safe and workable solutions.
During the next few years, Auckland Transport and its partners will:
- share information about constraints, costs and technical realities
- listen to local knowledge about how people move and what they value
- be clear about what is fixed, such as safety standards and future train frequencies, and what is open to influence
- report back on what we heard and what we changed as options are refined.
The west is growing and the CRL will bring more and faster trains. We need to plan now to replace up to 21 rail crossings from Kingsland to Swanson with safer connections to keep traffic moving, create better neighbourhood spaces, and keep communities safe.