Church Street East level crossing

Project details

Overview

When City Rail Link (CRL) opens next year:

• trains will be running more often
• there’s the potential for even more frequent trains in the future.

In preparation for more frequent trains, we are proposing to close the Church Street East level crossing later in 2025. This level crossing is one of the only remaining level crossings on the Southern Line between Waitematā (Britomart) Station and Spartan Road in Takanini.

Auckland Transport (AT) has already removed level crossings to prepare for CRL. We are continuing to deliver a long-term programme of level crossing removals or safe replacements across Auckland. If they’re not removed:

• there will be increased safety risks
• barrier arms will be down longer
• travel times will get longer.

What we’re doing

Before closing the level crossing, we are:

• working with affected property owners on a safe, alternative access route for their buildings  
• making it safer for people who walk or cycle in the area
• enhancing the parking area outside 419 Church Street East.

We understand that closing the crossing is an unwelcome change for some. We are working with affected property owners to minimise impact.

Improvements we will install

Church Street East

We are:

• upgrading two marked pedestrian crossings on the turning lanes from Church Street East onto Great South Road
• installing signage and path markings

Great South Road (between Church Street East and the South Eastern Highway)

We are:

• shifting bus stop 7631 at 940 Great South Road back further from the road
• improving the path directly in front of bus stop 7631
• upgrading safety on driveway approaches.

South Eastern Highway (between Great South Road and Hugo Johnston Drive)

We are:

• one new pedestrian crossing on South Eastern Highway slip lane for traffic turning left onto Hugo Johnston Drive
• new safety fencing on either side of the footpath next to the South Eastern Highway

Bus stop 7631 safety improvements

As part of this project, we also plan to improve safety at bus stop 7631 at 940 Great South Road. We will:

• widen the footpath in front of the bus stop
• shift the bus stop back from the road.

These works could take up to 2 weeks to complete. You can expect:

• bus stop 7631 to close temporarily
• a temporary bus stop to be put in 50 metres away on Great South Road
• bus timetables to run as usual.

Community information sessions

If you’d like to know more, head along to a drop-in session at the Marist Softball Clubrooms, 78 Hugo Johnston Drive, Penrose from:

• 10am to 12pm, Monday 28 April
• 1pm to 3pm, Tuesday 29 April.

Previous engagement

In 2021, we started with a business case. This was to determine the need for removing the level crossing and explore the possible options for maintaining safe and easy access for everyone.

We found that removing the level crossing with mitigation is the better option.

We have also been working with affected landowners since 2022 to better understand the impacts and lessen these impacts as much as possible. This work is ongoing.

If you want to know more, email us at levelcrossings@at.govt.nz.