Auckland’s long-awaited City Rail Link has been officially opened, marking the completion of the largest transport infrastructure project ever built in New Zealand.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown, Transport Minister Chris Bishop, Rail Minister Winston Peters, councillors, iwi representatives and others gathered at the new Te Waihorotiu Station on Friday for the official opening ceremony.
The $5.493 billion project includes 3.45 kilometres of twin underground rail tunnels running beneath central Auckland, reaching depths of up to 42 metres.
It connects Waitematā Station in downtown Auckland with the redeveloped Maungawhau Station and introduces two new underground stations, Te Waihorotiu and Karanga-a-Hape.
Passenger services through the new network will begin on Sunday, 13 September, with the first trains expected to operate from around 5am.
Auckland Transport is expecting strong public interest on opening day and has encouraged passengers to use its Journey Planner or AT Mobile app before travelling.
The opening represents one of the biggest changes to Auckland’s rail system in generations.
For the first time, trains will be able to travel directly through the city centre rather than terminating at Waitematā Station, creating a connected rail network designed to provide faster journeys, more frequent services and greater capacity.
The existing rail lines will also change when the new network begins operating. The Southern Line will become the South City Line, while the Eastern and Western lines will form the new East West Line. The Onehunga Line will become the Onehunga West Line.
The project has taken about a decade to construct, involving thousands of tunnellers, engineers, electricians, planners, construction workers and other specialists.
During Friday’s ceremony, officials also acknowledged businesses and communities that endured years of disruption while construction took place across central Auckland.
Former Auckland Mayor Len Brown, who made the City Rail Link a major priority during his time in office, was among those attending the opening.
Auckland Girls’ Grammar School head girl Ryvah Cooper also addressed the ceremony, highlighting what improved public transport could mean for young people travelling across the city for education and other opportunities.
The City Rail Link is jointly funded by the New Zealand Government and Auckland Council.
After years of construction, testing and preparation, its opening will significantly reshape how Aucklanders move through the country’s largest city.
Source: New Zealand Government, Auckland Transport, City Rail Link and Auckland Council.
