Henderson Station upgrade

We are building a third platform and additional tracks at Henderson Station. This will enable more frequent and reliable train services as part of City Rail Link (CRL).

We are set to start construction in October 2024 and continue to early 2026.

Works will mostly take place on weekends and holiday periods during scheduled rail network closures.

Henderson Station changes

We are upgrading train infrastructure to increase the frequency and reliability of services.

We are building a new:

• third platform
• emergency exit bridge at the southern end of the station
• staff facility building.

The new third platform will allow us to turn some trains around at the end of service. We will keep 2 through-tracks available for trains travelling to and from Swanson. It will also enable new train connections to more places.

We are also improving:

• track layout
• overhead lines
• signalling equipment
• track drainage
• station lifts and escalators.

Upgrading the lifts and escalators

Pedestrians access Henderson Station’s platforms through an overpass. They can get to and from the overpass by using one of 3 lifts or 2 pairs of escalators (4 in total).

The lifts are critical for customers with accessibility needs or pushchairs.

The escalators and lifts at the station have reached the end of their usable life. Auckland Transport (AT) will be replacing them all.

Customers will experience greater reliability once the lifts and escalators are renewed.

While the lifts and escalators are under construction, station users will be directed to use the stairs if possible.

For customers with accessibility needs or pushchairs, you will need to make alternate arrangements. You will either have to access the platform from the council chambers side of the station or travel to a different station. Please call the AT contact centre on 09 366 6400 to book a mobility transport service. We recommend booking this service 48 hours in advance to ensure availability.

Timeline and construction information

The set-up phase will start during Labour Weekend in October 2024. This will include site establishment, and utility and cable ducting installation and relocation.

During the Christmas and new year period, the rail network will shut down. We will then start track removal and piling works.

We will start replacing Henderson Station’s lifts and escalators from mid-November 2024 and finish in June 2025. We will minimise disruption for you while we replace the lifts and escalators. When the new lifts are under construction, you will be directed to use the stairs if possible. Wayfinding will be in place to help guide you to and from the platforms.

More construction will take place during weekends and holidays in 2025. This includes Easter, King’s Birthday and Matariki.

During this time, we will be installing:

• track turnouts
• other major track work
• overhead lines
• signalling infrastructure.

Work will continue uninterrupted through late October 2025 and early 2026.

AT and KiwiRail are working through potential impacts on train customers. Buses will replace trains whenever upgrade works disrupt services.

Information for businesses and residents

Throughout construction, AT and KiwiRail will:

• give station users notice of any disruptions and information on how to navigate the station during construction
• keep the construction site and surrounding area tidy, safe, accessible and easy to navigate
• inform affected businesses, residents and property owners about the progress and impacts of the construction
• respond to community feedback quickly
• minimise disruption to normal services, such as rubbish removal and loading and servicing.

We will work with local businesses to stage the work so that it considers other projects that are:

• currently underway
• due to be started during the construction period.

Project background

The Henderson Station third platform project is part of a complete rail network upgrade programme.

CRL and the network upgrades will give Aucklanders a better-connected public transport network. Train services will be faster, more frequent and more reliable.

Henderson Station's major upgrades are a part of this transformation. There will also be new underground stations at Te Waihorotiu and Karanga-a-Hape.

When CRL is built:

• up to 16 trains per hour will travel through the central city, every 4 to 5 minutes at peak times
• an additional 50% capacity will be added to the current rail network
• twice as many people will be within 30 minutes of Auckland city centre
• there will be easier connections between more parts of Auckland.