A six-year wait for new bridges after Auckland’s City Rail Link opens is disappointing, says the AA in an RNZ report. It is a sentiment echoed by the National Road Carriers, a voice for the road transport industry.
On Friday, the government said it would stump up with $200m to remove several level crossings, and construct three new road bridges and access bridges.
The level crossings are expected to close in 2026 following the opening of the City Rail Link. Bridges, however, are not likely to be built until 2032.
Auckland Transport’s director of infrastructure, Murray Burt, later clarified that the level crossings would remain open until alternative access points are built.
Automobile Association (AA) policy director, Martin Glynn, had said earlier to RNZ that the delay would mean added congestion.
“The barrier arms will be down for much longer” he said, resulting in more traffic queuing and longer delays.
The National Road Carriers’ general manager, James Smith, concurred. However, Burt refuted that the barrier arms at level crossings would be down for 50 minutes an hour once the City Rail Link opens. “When City Rail Link opens in 2026 and train frequencies increase, modelling shows traffic delays in Takanini could increase by at most 2.5min in the peak hour.”
He added that “Traffic impacts will be minimised by optimisation of the Great South Road corridor and other intersections, with traffic light management and lane reallocations.
“The planned works will be sequenced to keep freight and general traffic flowing smoothly on the roads.”
However, Smith was concerned that businesses, light industry, and commuters in South Auckland would be left grappling with severe congestion. Moreover, economic harm would result until the essential crossings were built. He said that Takanini, a light industrial hub, already grapples with chronic traffic congestion. Smith added that the planned level crossing closures without timely replacements would cause severe disruption to heavy transport.
He said that businesses and commuters were now looking at six years of detours and economic damage. These grade-separated vehicle crossings must be fast-tracked and built with urgency, he insisted.
Burt said that almost three-quarters of the road/rail crossings on the Auckland Rail Network have already been grade separated (cars and trains are on different levels).
“Auckland Transport is working in partnership with Kiwirail, NZTA, MoT and Auckland Council to remove or grade separate the remaining level crossings in stages.
“Work on level crossing removals at Takanini and on the Eastern line has been fast-tracked to take advantage of the planned rail line closures prior to City Rail Link opening.
“AT is well advanced and ready to begin the projects, following funding details confirmation from NZTA and Auckland Council.”
