CBD Rail Loop

Investigations are underway to identify a preferred route for Auckland’s proposed CBD loop underground rail link from Britomart to Mt Eden rail stations.

The study, jointly funded by KiwiRail and ARTA, will also consider the likely costs and economic justification for the proposed tunnel and possible stations along the way, and begin the process of protecting the route for future construction. 

KiwiRail and ARTA have commissioned the APB&B group of consultants, comprising AECOM, Parsons Brinckerhoff, Beca and Hassell, to undertake the study, which is expected to be completed in December 2010.

Facts and Figures:

• The proposed 3.5 kilometre twin tracked tunnel could cost in excess of $1billion to construct.
• The tunnel is proposed to be around 30 metres below ground at its deepest point below Karangahape Rd.
• A CBD Loop Tunnel complements the investment in the State Highway network by attracting long distance car trips off congested arterials and motorways freeing them up for freight, commercial and other trips that cannot be made by public transport.
• The tunnel is expected to take seven to ten years to design and build.
• Currently almost 58,000 people travel into Auckland’s CBD for work and education every week day morning at peak, with almost 33,000 of them using public transport.

Proposed Route

Consultants will investigate the route options, engineering feasibility and potential costs for the rest of the tunnel including possible stations and its connection with the North Auckland railway line (Western Line) at Mt Eden.

Considerable work has already been done to determine the first section of the link from Britomart to a proposed underground station beneath Albert St.

Please click map to enlarge:

Benefits of a CBD Rail Loop

• The proposed tunnel will allow more train movements through unlocking the capacity constraint of Britomart (by developing Britomart into a through station) 
• The proposed tunnel is regarded as a key element in future transport infrastructure for Auckland by increasing capacity across the entire rail network, bringing the rail network into the heart of the city and stimulating economic development in the busy CBD area by reducing traffic congestion.
• The CBD Loop Tunnel will unlock the potential of Auckland’s rapid rail transit network making the tunnel as important to the rail system as the Central motorway junction is to the motorways.