A work site blessing has been carried out in the centre of Auckland to launch the start of preliminary work on the City Rail Link (CRL).
CRL will extend Auckland’s commuter rail network from Britomart through the city centre to Mount Eden station, creating new city centre stations at Aotea Square and Karangahape Road.
Turning Britomart into a through station will significantly increase capacity and the frequency of services across the network. CRL will also pave the way for future extensions to the North Shore and the airport.
The $2.5 billion project will involved the construction of a 3.4-kilometre twin-bore tunnel beneath Auckland city centre. The main construction works are due to begin between 2017/18.
CRL project director Chris Meale said: “Today was a celebration, but for most Aucklanders, the first piece of work will be largely invisible.
“A replacement stormwater pipe will be built under Albert Street so that the existing one can be removed when work on the CRL tunnels starts in the middle of next year.”
