CityRail Link is a 3.4-kilometre extension to the existing Auckland Rail Network, connecting Britomart Station to Mt Eden Station through Auckland's West. The extension is made up of twin tunnels that will connect downtown at Waitematā Station (Britomart) with Maungawhau on the Western Line.
The scope of the project includes:
- construction of a one-kilometre Cut and Cover Tunnel
- construction of 2.5 kilometres of bored tunnel
- redevelopment of Waitemata Station and Mount Eden Station to accomodate below ground rail lines, and
- construction of two new underground stations, Te Waihorotiu Station at a depth of 13 meters and Karanahape Station at a depth of 33 metres.
Procurement has been divided into stages, with the largest 'C3 Stations and Tunnels' package to be delivered through an Alliance Contract. Originally there were nine contracts envisioned - however, reshuffling of scopes of work has left the project with the following contracts:
- Contract One (C1), delivered by Downer Soletanche Bachy Joint Venture: construction of the initial sections of the CRL tunnels from Waitematā Station (Britomart) to the Downtown Shopping Centre, and refurbishment of the Chief Post Office (CPO) heritage building. Completed in October 2021.
- Contract Two (C2), delivered by Connectus, a McConnell Dowell and Downer Joint Venture: 350 metres of trenching and tunnelling from Commercial Bay at Customs Street to Wyndham Street, relocating a stormwater main, strengthening the Ōrakei Main Sewer and improvements at street level including new street furniture, lighting, tree planting and bus bays. Completed in October 2020.
- Contract Three (C3), delivered by Link Alliance: deliver the City Rail Link 3.45km twin tunnel underground rail line from Auckland’s Waitematā Station (Britomart) to a redeveloped Maungawhau; Design and construction of two new underground stations midtown, Te Waihorotiu Station and Karanga-a-Hape Station off Karangahape Road, and a long-term maintenance contract.
- Contract Six (C6), delivered by March Bessac Joint Venture: replacement of the stormwater line in Mt Eden. Completed in August 2019.
- Contract Eight (C8), delivered by KiwiRail and CRL Ltd: improvement works at Ōtāhuhu and at the Strand in Parnell. Completed October 2020.
- Contract Nine (C9), delivered by KiwiRail, Martinus Rail and CRL Ltd: additional connections, platform widening and track modification at the eastern end of Waitematā Station (Britomart). Construction complete on all sections apart from Stage 4 to 6 "Track" Contract for track slab and track works in the vicinity of Platforms 1 and 5. Expected construction completion expected January 2024.
The project's assets will be transferred from the New Zealand Government and Auckland City Council to Auckland Transport and KiwiRail upon completion of the capital works.
Key Dates
| Mar 2017 | Construction commences: C6 Mt Eden stormwater |
| Aug 2019 | Construction complete: C6 Mt Eden stormwater |
| Oct 2020 | Construction complete: C2 Lower end of Albert Street |
| Oct 2021 | Construction complete: C1 Waitematā Station/Lower Queen Street |
| Nov 2025 | Expected Construction Completion |
| 2026 | Expected Services Commencement |
Funding contributions
| NZ Government | |
| Auckland Council |
Procurement
| Successful Tenderer: | Contract One: Waitematā Station (Britomart)/Lower Queen Street: Downer Soletanche Bachy Joint Venture (DSBJV) Contract Two: Lower end of Albert Street between Customs and Wyndham Streets: Connectus – a McConnell Dowell and Downer Joint Venture Contract Three: Main Tunnel, Stations, Western Line Connection and Rail Systems: Link Alliance (Vinci Construction Grands Projects SAS, Downer, Soletanche Bachy, WSP, AECOM, Tonkin + Taylor and CRL Ltd) Contract Six: Mt Eden Stormwater Main: March Bessac Joint Venture Contract Eight: Wider network improvements: KiwiRail and CRL Ltd Contract Nine: Eastern end of Britomart Station: KiwiRail, Martinus Rail and CRL Ltd. |
PROJECT HISTORY
| 2014 | Project estimated at a total cost of NZ$3.4 billion. |
| May 2017 | The Mana Whenua Forum gifted CRL with the four names of the stations: Maungawhau Railway Station (for Mt Eden, an existing station) Karanga-a-Hape Railway Station (for Karangahape, a new station) Te Waihorotiu Railway Station (for Aotea, a new station) Waitematā Railway Station (for Britomart, an existing station). |
| Jul 2017 | City Rail Link established. |
| Apr 2019 | CRL Ltd announced a revised cost envelope for the entire CRL project and named its preferred the Link Alliance bidder for C3. |
| Apr 2019 | Total cost estimates increase to NZ$4.4 billion, an increase of NZ$1 billion from the previous estimate in 2014. |
| Jul 2019 | CRL Ltd and the Link Alliance sign a Project Alliance Agreement (PAA). |
| Mar 2023 | CRL Ltd submits a formal funding request to its Sponsors - the Crown and Auckland Council - reflecting revised cost of total project raising to $5.5 billion. |
| May 2023 | The NZ 2023 Budget allocated an additional NZ$197 million (A$185 million) to deliver the City Rail Link. |
| Feb 2024 | The installation of the second railway line, being delivered under Contract Three, has been completed by the Link Alliance. Testing of the trains inside the tunnel will be undertaken mid-year. |
| Jul 2024 | The signaling systems were complete, carried out by KiwiRail and Link Alliance. |
Estimated Total Cost
(2023)
Sector
Rail
Procurement approach
Traditional Procurement |
Alliance |
Location
New Zealand |
Resources
