City Rail Link

The City Rail Link (CRL) is New Zealand’s largest ever transport infrastructure project. It will enable more train services across Auckland, more frequent trains and shorter journey times.

KiwiRail is working closely with CRL Ltd and Auckland Transport to ensure the successful delivery of this complex project, which is scheduled to open in 2026.

As the rail network owner, KiwiRail is working to ensure the new railway is fit for purpose. We are providing technical support to the CRL project and delivering critical rail infrastructure upgrades right across the Auckland metro network.

City Rail Link and KiwiRail 

  • Ongoing maintenance of CRL rail infrastructure, including tunnels, signals and train radio systems
  • Integrating older rail assets with CRL and testing the rail system as a whole to ensure it’s safe, reliable and for fit for purpose
  • This includes the current dynamic testing of the rail infrastructure’s compatibility with the trains that use it
  • And how trains interface with stations, including emergency planning
  • Building two electricity substations to power the wider Auckland network
  • Making track changes at key points such as Waitemata (Britomart), Newmarket junction, including the building of a new South-West connection (see image below), and Henderson
  • Building new third rails at Wiri to Quay Park (complete) and Henderson to manage greater volumes of freight and passenger trains
  • Upgrades completed at Maungawhau (Mt Eden), Ōtāhuhu and Waitematā (Britomart) Tunnel.

Take a look at a video of the first train making its first trip through the CRL tunnels.

In addition, our Rail Network Rebuild programme is in its final stages as KiwiRail replaces old foundations, improves drainage and installs new track structures, future-proofing the wider Auckland rail network for decades to come. This essential work is improving rail resilience and reliability and readying the tracks for the City Rail Link’s ongoing operation.

Watch this great Stuff explainer on the work remaining to open CRL:
Why is Auckland’s City Rail Link taking so long to open?

This plan above shows the new South-West connection KiwiRail is building at Newmarket junction.

For more information on the CRL visit their website.