Progress Highlights

July 2019

The financial year started with CRL Ltd, sponsors and a group of national and international companies signing a Project Alliance Agreement, thus forming the Link Alliance. This meant that constructing the C3 works – including tunnels, rail systems, and new and re-developed stations – could forge ahead.

January 2020

The C2 contractor continued building Albert Street’s urban realm. Workers here are building the Kassal kerb and preparing the concrete pour for Albert Street’s new look paved footpaths.

August 2019

The project celebrated completion of C6 to construct a 423-metrelong stormwater main, 17 metres underground at Mt Eden. This replaced an existing main that was obstructing CRL’s path. A micro-TBM, explosives to blast tough basalt, and pipe jacking were some of the methodology used during construction. Sheet piling for the temporary access shaft at Mercury Lane began. A total of 92 sheet piles will be installed and when it reaches its full depth, the shaft will be 22 metres deep and provide access to the tunnels for personnel and machinery.

September 2019

The CRL project won the Cultural Identity award ahead of hundreds of other entries from more than 70 countries at an international architecture festival known as WAFX (World Architecture Festival) in the Netherlands. The project is the first

February 2020

from New Zealand to win the award.

March 2020

The Wellesley Street West intersection with Mayoral Drive and Albert Street closed temporarily to all vehicle traffic so that the Link Alliance could begin building Aotea Station. The intersection remains accessible for pedestrians and local businesses.

October 2019

Demolition and site clearance for C3 works in Mt Eden, Karangahape and Aotea began in earnest. In Mt Eden, after ensuring that all salvageable items were removed from the buildings, the first of 30 buildings were demolished.

April 2020

Construction across all CRL sites resumed after the Government ended New Zealand’s four-week lockdown to stop the spread of Covid-19. The lockdown period, which began on 25 March and lasted around five weeks, was spent planning the reopening of sites, so that workers could resume construction safely.

November 2019

There was a fantastic public response when the CRL project opened its doors for the much anticipated Walk the Tunnels event. All tickets were snapped up within 15 minutes. This event saw 10,000 people walk through 400 metres of twin underground rail tunnels below Britomart Station and Lower Queen Street.

May 2020

Dame Whina Cooper, a groundbreaking Māori leader, was chosen by New Zealanders as the name for the TBM that will dig CRL’s twin train tunnels. The TBM will begin its journey in Mt Eden – tunnelling 1.6 kilometres to the Aotea Station site before being returned to Mt Eden to make its second journey.

December 2019

In Ōtāhuhu, CRL workers were busy over Christmas and New Year. They installed 400 metres of new railway line, four rail crossovers and constructed signals, wired over-head electrical lines and made excellent progress on building the station’s new third platform. This infrastructure is vital to enable more frequent train services across Auckland’s network

once the CRL is operational.

June 2020

Construction of Aotea Station’s permanent walls and vertical support began. These reinforced concrete walls – also known as diaphragm or D-walls – are being built with the help of Sandrine, a 90-tonne hydrofraise machine.