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City Rail Link City Rail Link

The City Rail Link (CRL) is a rail project currently under construction. It involves the building of a 3.45 km long tunnel underneath Auckland's city centre, between Waitematā (Britomart) and Maungawhau stations, new central city train stations and other works that will increase the efficiency, reliability, and frequency of Auckland’s passenger rail network.

Project Status: Under Construction
Project Zone: Central

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Project summary

The City Rail Link is being delivered by City Rail Link Ltd (CRLL), a crown entity owned by the New Zealand Government and Auckland Council.

This 3.45km underground rail link will unlock our public transport network and transform how we travel around our city. When the CRL opens, Aucklanders will have new, world-class stations and a modern rail service that will benefit the entire transport network for decades to come.

With the opening of the CRL, Waitematā Station (Britomart) will become a two-way, through station, which will almost double the number of trains coming into the city, allowing the network to carry up to 27,000 passengers per hour at peak times.

Two new stations are being built. One, underneath Albert Street with entrances on both Wellesley and Victoria Streets, will be called Te Waihorotiu Station. The other is just off Karangahape Road, with entrances at both Mercury Lane and Beresford Square, and will be known as Karanga-a-Hape Station. 

The CRL will connect to the Western Line at a redeveloped Maungawhau Station, (formerly known as Mt Eden Station) - less than 10 minutes train ride from downtown Auckland - opening up the entire rail network.

CRLL is due to complete construction of the CRL and hand it over to AT in late 2025. Following this, staff training and operational testing of systems and equipment will be completed prior to passenger services starting. Services will be operated in conjunction with KiwiRail and Auckland Transport’s contracted rail operator Auckland One Rail. 

Changes to platform numbering at Waitematā Station (Britomart)

From Monday, 22 January, platform numbers at Waitematā Station (Britomart) are changing. This allows for current construction at Waitematā Station (Britomart) and in preparation for the future rail network when the City Rail Link is complete.

Temporary work is underway to connect the station to the tunnels and, in the longer term, the platform renumbering reflects the need to redevelop Waitematā Station (Britomart) to accommodate the increase in train services and passengers, when the CRL comes into operation.

Customers should check the electronic signs available throughout Waitematā Station (Britomart) to check from which platform their train departs. (See following image.)

New departure locations for the Southern (Platform 1), Eastern (Platform 2) and Western (Platform 4) lines

 

Disruptions during construction

Building the City Rail Link in the middle of a built-up city is no small task and is not without its impacts.

We are working closely with CRLL to reduce disruptions and keep Aucklanders moving.

Maungawhau Station closure

Mt Eden Station has been renamed Maungawhau Station. The train station here will be redeveloped into a modern new station building. Maungawhau Station is closed from July 2020 until the CRL project is complete. 

Western Line train services will not stop at the station during this time. Find out more about travel alternatives during the closure, including the free 64 bus service.

Victoria & Albert Street intersection closure

The intersection of Victoria Street and Albert Street is currently closed to vehicle traffic while Te Waihorotiu Station is constructed. The intersection is expected to be closed to vehicles until early 2024, but will always remain open to people walking or cycling.

AT is responsible for making sure that the city keeps moving. This includes changes to several bus routes and driving in the city centre. To find out how to get around the city centre when there are changes to your usual ways of travel and about projects that may affect your normal journey go to our get around Auckland's city centre page.