Henderson Station upgrade

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.

Like the Auckland Harbour Bridge in 1959, CRL will transform how we travel around the city.

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.

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.

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 whilst we replace the lifts and escalators. When the new lifts are under construction, you will be able to use alternate transport. Wayfinding will be in place to help guide station 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.

Last updated 10/10/2024