About the Level Crossing Removal Programme

Background

Aucklanders tell us they want a better public transport system that is convenient, well-connected, accessible and reliable. Auckland Transport (AT) is also on a mission to:

• increase public transport use to reduce congestion
• improve access for Aucklanders
• support the economy and enhance the environment.

The City Rail Link is the biggest and most transformational public transport development for Auckland.

When the City Rail Link (CRL) opens it will double Auckland’s current rail capacity and transform Auckland’s public transport system. This new underground rail connection will be used by 54,000 passengers an hour. It will mean:

• more commuter train services, more often across the city
• faster travel times
• fewer transfers between services.

These opportunities also need to be managed well to allow the higher train frequency without compromising people’s safety and causing delays to traffic when barrier arms are lowered more often.

Programme overview

To support the future growth of our train network, AT is working with KiwiRail and NZ Transport Agency on several rail network upgrades. This includes investigating the options for removing level crossings across Auckland over the next 10 to 30 years.

We have already started to remove some level crossings before the CRL opens and implement some interim safety improvements to other level crossings across Auckland.

Before the CRL opens we are:

• removing 7 pedestrian-only level crossings across Auckland
• removing one road level crossing at Church Street East, Penrose
• installing a range of interim safety upgrades at other road level crossings across Auckland.

We're in the early stages of exploring options for all remaining level crossings, including our busy road level crossings and level crossings connected to train stations.

After the CRL is open to the public, there will be 42 remaining level crossings across the Auckland rail network.

We will work closely with communities on local solutions that meet everyone’s needs. Our community engagement will be delivered in stages after our initial investigations are complete.

Why we need to remove level crossings

More frequent trains

We need to remove level crossings before we introduce more frequent trains.

We are working with our partners to upgrade the rail network and there are several projects underway. These upgrades include:

• the CRL
• electrification from Papakura to Pukekohe (P2P)
• KiwiRail's Rail Network Rebuild
• the Third Main Line.

These upgrades will enable more frequent trains, including more AT passenger trains, KiwiRail freight trains, and other regional services to Hamilton and Wellington.

We are also planning to introduce new train services and timetables for when the CRL is in service. This will mean that train frequencies will increase by 100% in some areas, causing significant delays at level crossings as barrier arms are lowered more often.

Level crossings must be removed over time so we can make the most of our rail upgrades and run more frequent trains.

Improving safety

We need to remove level crossings to run more trains safely.

More trains will create longer delays at level crossings, causing more risk-taking and more people crossing in front of oncoming trains due to impatience.

Our communities are growing with increasing population and densification across Auckland, especially around train stations. Removing level crossings will ensure these communities can continue to travel safely and efficiently without congestion.

Many level crossings were originally built when there were fewer people crossing them and fewer trains on the network, and they are not designed for so many trains.

There are already significant safety risks at level crossings even if there are barrier arms. We are starting work now to eliminate these risks so we can support the ongoing growth of our rail network.

How this benefits you

Benefits

Removing level crossings will provide a safer, faster and more efficient transport network.

It will have benefits such as:

• safer journeys for everyone, including people walking and cycling, train drivers and passengers, and other road users
• reduced congestion, supporting better customer journeys for people driving, walking and cycling
• supporting future growth across the rail network, including more AT passenger trains, KiwiRail freight trains, and other regional services to Hamilton and Wellington.

Opportunities

There are opportunities for a better transport network and more thriving communities.

Opportunities include:

• better road connections across our railways, providing a more efficient transport network overall
• remove congestion and through-traffic from neighbourhood streets, supporting safer and quieter communities with less traffic
• more accessible neighbourhoods, providing greater travel choices and safe places for walking and cycling
• new public spaces and parks to support thriving communities
• more trains will support growth in town centres, including growth for local businesses and new housing opportunities.

Programme timeline

This is a long-term programme to remove level crossings over the next 10 to 30 years. These removals will be competed in stages.

Now to 2026

We have already started to remove some level crossings before the CRL opens to the public, including:

• 7 pedestrian-only level crossings across Auckland
• one road level crossing at Church Street East, Penrose.

Some level crossings have also been removed as part of the CRL project.

2026 to 2056

We're currently exploring options for all remaining level crossings. We have not yet confirmed the timing of these future level crossings.

After the CRL is in service, there will be 42 remaining level crossings across the Auckland rail network, including busy road level crossings and level crossings connected to train stations.

Why some level crossings are being removed now

We need to remove our pedestrian level crossings now before we start testing our CRL train services in 2025.

Removing a level crossing requires significant coordination and resourcing from numerous parties, including AT, KiwiRail and our contractors.

AT is required to remove numerous level crossings before we introduce more frequent trains, including 7 pedestrian-only level crossings across Auckland and one road level crossing at Church Street East, Penrose.

Each level crossing removal must be planned according to available resources and aligned with windows of opportunity. These windows of opportunity, such as weekend rail line closures, allow AT to complete the work safely and minimise disruption to train services.

To ensure we use our resources efficiently, and to make use of windows of opportunity, AT must remove each level crossing progressively over time. It is not possible to remove all level crossings at the same time immediately before CRL testing.

Testing our CRL train services involves running additional trains to demonstrate to NZ Transport Agency that we have sufficiently reduced safety risks. Before this testing can begin, we must comply with safety regulations associated with running more trains.

Church Street East level crossing has been prioritised because it is the only remaining level crossing on the Southern Line between Waitematā Station (Britomart) and Spartan Road in Takaanini. This is expected to become one of the busiest parts of the rail network after the CRL is in service.

Rail safety regulations

Legislation governing the safety of railways in New Zealand provides powers to the rail safety regulator to set regulations on rail operations. NZ Transport Agency is the primary rail safety regulator. Safety regulations set by the rail safety regulator require AT to reduce safety risks as far as reasonably practicable.

Removing the 7 pedestrian-only level crossings and the Church Street East level crossing is reasonably practicable and therefore required to receive approval for AT to run more frequent trains after the CRL opens.

We understand this may be inconvenient for some people. However, from a timing and logistics perspective, these level crossings are more practical and easier to remove before the CRL opens relative to other level crossings across the network (including busy road level crossings).

To learn more about rail safety regulations in New Zealand, visit the NZ Transport Agency website (opens in a new tab).

Level crossing locations

We will remove the following level crossings before the CRL opens to the public:

• O’Neills Road, Swanson
• Corban Estate, Henderson
• Lloyd Avenue, Mount Albert
• Kingdon Street, Newmarket
• Tironui Station Road East, Takaanini
• Homai Train Station
• Church Street East, Penrose.

The following level crossings have also been removed as part of the City Rail Link project:

• Normandy Road, Eden Terrace
• Porters Avenue, Eden Terrace
• Fenton Street, Eden Terrace.

Other level crossings that have already been removed include:

• Sarawia Street, Newmarket
• Papatoetoe Train Station.