The New Zealand Government will work with the Auckland Council to bring forward the start date of the NZ$2.5bn ($1.7bn) City Rail Link (CRL) project in Auckland.
The government is currently working to bring forward a business plan and formalise its funding commitment from 2020, which the council has indicated would allow construction of the main works to start in 2018, at least two years earlier than envisaged.
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The 3.5km CRL will extend the city’s commuter rail network beyond the current terminus at Britomart to connect with the western line at a triangular junction near Eden Terrace.
New Zealand Associate Finance Minister Steven Joyce said: "The government has agreed to work with Auckland Council to bring forward the business plan and formalise our funding commitment from 2020, providing the joint business plan with the council appropriately addresses project risks around costs, construction and operation.
"With an estimated cost of around NZ$2.5bn ($1.7bn), the CRL will be one of New Zealand’s largest ever transport projects."
The project will also include construction of new underground line at Aotea Square and Karangahape Road, while the existing Mount Eden station will be redeveloped.
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By GlobalDataThe section between Britomart and Aotea Square will involve cut-and-cover construction, while the remaining line will run in twin-bore tunnels at depths of up to 42m.
New Zealand Transport Minister Simon Bridges said: "It will double the capacity of Auckland’s rail network, provide two new stations in the central city and benefit commuters whose travel times will be reduced significantly.
"For example, Auckland Transport estimates that a commuter travelling between Henderson and the planned Aotea Station will save on average 17 minutes per trip."
Preliminary work on this project were started last December and it involved the installation of a new stormwater pipe under Albert Street so the existing one can be removed when the CRL tunnel work starts.
The construction work under this project, which will be carried out by Auckland Transport (AT) and the project team, is expected to be completed by 2024.
Image: An artist’s impression of the Aotea Station, to be built in central Auckland as part of the City Rail Link project. Photo: courtesy of Auckland Council.
