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A CRL progress update

News story
Friday 13 Jul 2018

Progress continues on the CRL project in Albert Street, Commercial Bay and Britomart. Recent milestones include the completion of piles in Lower Queen Street to support the tunnel that will connect Britomart station to the Commercial Bay tunnels and starting the first section of tunnel roof in Albert Street. Steady progress is being made on CRL trench excavation and tunnel box construction in Albert Street and on ground and building support works at Britomart.

The first section of tunnel roof being poured by Connectus. Image: cityraillink.co.nz

While the most obvious benefit of CRL is the increased capacity and efficiency of Auckland’s rail network and improved public transport options into and around the city centre, we’re also looking forward to the new public spaces associated with the project. These include a new square in Lower Queen Street, shared space streets around the Britomart station and the Aotea Station opening onto the planned Victoria Street linear park.

You can see an animation of how the Lower Queen Street square might look and feel below.

Video: cityraillink.co.nz

While progress on the project is exciting for the city and the people who use it, construction does bring impact. Find out more below about the development response work City Rail Link, council and ourselves are doing with businesses to help navigate these challenges. 

Current and upcoming project activity in the city centre

Albert Street

  • Early July – end 2018 - Excavation and tunnel box construction will be completed to allow connection to the Commercial Bay tunnel
  • Mid - late 2018: The trench will be backfilled between Wyndham and Swanson Streets and road reinstatement starts at the end of the year

Customs Street/Commercial Bay

  • Early July – Tunnel excavation under the Customs Street intersection has begun
  • Later this year -  Construction of the tunnel structure under the intersection will begin
  • Autumn 2019 - The tunnels beneath Commercial Bay will be connected with the Albert Street trench

Britomart

  • Late May – late July – the piling platform within the CPO building is being removed and building underpinning works continue to prepare for trench excavation
  • Late July – late 2018 Tunnel excavation works will start between Britomart and the new tunnels under Commercial Bay
  • Late 2018 - 2020: Tunnel construction from Britomart and across Lower Queen Street
  • 2020: Britomart Train Station main entrance from Lower Queen Street reopened and the urban realm works around the station completed.

Aotea Station (and Albert Street between Victoria and Wellesley Streets)

  • Late 2018 - the project will be considering timings for early works (utility diversion and canopy removals) in late 2018
  • Late 2019 (expected) - March 2024: Aotea station construction

Visit the City Rail Link website for more details of the progress of the construction underway now and the procurement for the next stages of the project, or sign up to receive the CRL newsletter here for regular updates.

Minimising construction impact

We continue to work closely with CRL and council on behalf of businesses to ensure as much as possible is being done to minimise the impact of the project and to help businesses navigate the challenges presented by construction. There are a number of initiatives that have been put in place in areas where work is underway including business mentors, activations and traffic monitoring.

If you have any questions or concerns

if you have any specific questions related to the City Rail Link construction, please contact info@cityraillink.co.nz 

If you have any wider questions or concerns about City Rail Link or other development in the city, please phone our office on (09) 379 8000 or email us.