Pedestrian level crossing removal
Learn more about the pedestrian level crossings being removed before the City Rail Link opens to the public.
Project details
Overview
We're removing 7 pedestrian-only level crossings across Auckland to ready the rail network for the City Rail Link (CRL).
The level crossings are at the following 6 locations:
- O’Neills Road, Swanson
- Corban Estate, Henderson
- Lloyd Avenue, Mt Albert
- Kingdon Street, Newmarket
- Tironui Station Road East, Takaanini
- Homai Train Station.
View our map of level crossings being removed before the City Rail Link opens.
Community engagement on the alternative routes
Since mid-2023 we have been working with local communities to understand the impacts of removing pedestrian level crossings and minimise these impacts as much as possible.
To ensure people can continue their journey across the railway after the level crossing is removed, we proposed improvements to the alternative walking routes.
We asked for feedback about these improvements and suggestions for other improvements that could be made.
Consultation was not about the removal itself because of the safety regulations we must comply with.
A summary of our consultation and the community feedback we received for each level crossing location is provided on this page.
About bridges or underpasses
Auckland Transport (AT) is currently experiencing significant funding constraints.
All level crossings are assessed based on a range of factors including their safety risk and how they are being used. With the limited funding available, it is important to look at all level crossings and assess which level crossings should be prioritised for a bridge or underpass.
Based on our assessments, the close proximity of alternative walking and cycling routes mean that bridges or underpasses are not cost-effective options for any of the pedestrian level crossings.
It is more cost effective to improve the alternative walking route than to construct a bridge or underpass.
AT will continue to seek funding to minimise the impact on communities as much as possible.
Level crossing locations
Learn more about each level crossing and community engagement.
Status
We are currently exploring various options to mitigate the impacts of removing this level crossing in response to community feedback.
Context
This crossing is situated between new residential developments, schools, and other local businesses. There are 2 alternative routes nearby:
- an underpass on North Candia Road, 400m east of the level crossing
- an overbridge at Swanson Station, 700m west of the level crossing.
Community engagement
We consulted the Swanson community on the removal of O’Neills Road pedestrian level crossing from 12 June to 2 July 2023.
We asked for feedback about how we can improve the alternative route to make it safer and easier to use before the level crossing is removed.
Consultation was not about the removal itself because of the safety regulations we must comply with.
Our response
In response to community feedback, we are re-evaluating various elements of the level crossing removal and exploring other options. The feasibility of improvements suggested by community feedback is currently being assessed.
We will be back in touch with the Swanson community once our re-evaluation is complete.
More detail is available in the O'Neills Road engagement summary and decisions report (PDF, 563KB).
Timing
We have listened to community feedback and we are currently re-evaluating our options, including timeframes for removing the level crossing and improving the alternative route.
Status
This level crossing has been removed.
Context
This crossing was one of 3 crossings connecting Corban Estate Art Centre to Great North Road. There are 2 alternative routes nearby:
- an underpass near Opanuku Stream, 150m south of the level crossing
- Mount Lebanon Lane, 250m north of the crossing.
Community engagement
We consulted the Henderson community on the removal of Corban Estate pedestrian level crossing from 12 June to 2 July 2023.
We asked for feedback about how we can improve the alternative route to make it safer and easier to use before the level crossing is removed.
Consultation was not about the removal itself because of the safety regulations we must comply with.
Our response
We listened carefully to community feedback and made the following improvements to the alternative routes:
- Upgraded lighting
- New signage and improved wayfinding in the area
- Trimmed the vegetation on the approach to the underpass near Opanuku Stream.
More detail is available in the Corban Estate engagement summary and decisions report (PDF, 600KB).
Timing
We removed this level crossing in February 2024.
Status
This level crossing has been removed.
Context
This crossing previously connected Khyber Pass Road and Carlton Gore Road in the busy commercial area of Newmarket. The alternative route is nearby:
- Davis Crescent, 100m east of the level crossing.
Community engagement
We consulted the Newmarket community on the removal of Kingdon Street pedestrian level crossing from 31 July to 27 August 2023.
We asked for feedback about how we can improve the alternative route to make it safer and easier to use before the level crossing is removed.
Consultation was not about the removal itself because of the safety regulations we must comply with.
Our response
We listened carefully to community feedback and made the following improvements to the alternative routes:
- a wider footpath on Davis Crescent from 1.3m to 2.5m
- a new zebra crossing on Short Street
- upgraded lighting.
More detail is available in the Kingdon Street engagement summary and decisions report (PDF, 957KB).
Timing
We removed this level crossing in June 2024.
Status
This level crossing has been removed.
Context
This crossing previously connected 2 residential streets and is situated near the Mount Albert town centre. The alternative route is nearby:
- Carrington Road, 200m south of the level crossing.
Community engagement
We consulted the Mount Albert community on the removal of Lloyd Avenue pedestrian level crossing from 31 July to 27 August 2023.
We asked for feedback about how we can improve the alternative route to make it safer and easier to use before the level crossing is removed.
Consultation was not about the removal itself because of the safety regulations we must comply with.
Our response
We listened carefully to community feedback and made the following improvements to the alternative routes:
- a safer, wider shared path for walking and cycling on Carrington Road overbridge
- a new speed bump on Prospero Terrace.
We are continuing to investigate:
- further widening of the Carrington Road rail overbridge separately as part of the Carrington Road Improvements project
- a signalised pedestrian crossing on Carrington Road.
More detail is available in the Lloyd Avenue engagement summary and decisions report (PDF, 600KB).
Timing
We removed this level crossing in June 2024.
Status
This level crossing has been removed.
Context
This crossing was situated near the Takaanini shopping centre, schools and other local businesses. The alternative route is nearby:
- Walters Road, 500m north of the level crossing.
Community engagement
We consulted the Takaanini community on the removal of Tironui Station Road East pedestrian level crossing from 31 July to 27 August 2023.
We asked for feedback about how we can improve the alternative route to make it safer and easier to use before the level crossing is removed.
Consultation was not about the removal itself because of the safety regulations we must comply with.
Our response
We installed the following improvements:
- repaired the tactile markings for pedestrians
- investigated relocating the emergency exit sign on the west side of the level crossing
- improved the level crossing surface by introducing a system called veloSTRAIL track panels. We have informed KiwiRail, who will make further investigations.
More detail is available in the Tironui Station Road East engagement summary and decisions report (PDF, 644KB).
Timing
We removed this level crossing in February 2024.
Status
We are currently improving the alternative routes.
We will remove the level crossings in late 2024 to early 2025, after the alternative route improvements have been completed.
Context
There are 2 crossings at Homai Station. Both crossings are not controlled by automatic safety gates and are situated near the Homai Station to the Blind and Low Vision Campus and Manurewa High School.
The current alternative route is via the stairs connecting Homai Station to Browns Road.
Community engagement
We consulted the Homai community on the removal of Homai Station pedestrian level crossings from 6 to 26 November 2023.
We asked for feedback about how we can improve the alternative route to make it safer and easier to use before the level crossing is removed.
Consultation was not about the removal itself because of the safety regulations we must comply with.
Recommended improvements
In response to community feedback, we will:
- build a new ramp to replace the stairs between Browns Road and Homai Station to provide a safer and more accessible connection
- replace footpaths damaged by tree roots on McVilly Road
- widen footpaths surrounding the station to 1.8m, including footpaths on Browns Road, McVilly Road, to the Park and Ride, and the bus stop
- make other footpath improvements surrounding the Park and Ride, including re-routing footpaths to provide a more direct connection between the bus stop and Browns Road.
More detail is available in the Homai Station engagement summary and decisions report (PDF, 638KB).
Timing
Works to install the alternative route improvements will begin in August 2024.
We will remove the level crossing in late 2024 to early 2025 after the alternative route improvements have been completed.
We will confirm the exact date for removing the level crossing closer to the time.