Work continues over the summer on Auckland's rail rebuild to prepare for the City Rail Link opening in 2026.
Work continues over the summer on Auckland's rail rebuild to prepare for the City Rail Link opening in 2026.
Auckland’s transport system faces major disruptions over summer due to extensive maintenance works.
The rail network will be closed from December 27 to January 28 for City Rail Link preparations.
Road closures include Birkenhead Rd, Great South Rd, and Hunua Rd, and the Harbour Bridge will be closed for annual maintenance.
Auckland’s transport system will be severely tested over the summer break, with expected extensive disruptions to public transport, roads, and freight movements.
The annual closure for maintenance works on the Auckland Harbour Bridge will be exacerbated by an extended shutdown of the rail network,work on Spaghetti Junction, and renewal work on three busy roads.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi regional manager of maintenance and operations Jacqui Hori-Holt said fewer cars on the roads make the post-Christmas and New Year period the best time to undertake critical works on the city’s motorways.
“We will be working hard to keep disruption to a minimum. However, you may experience delays, and we ask that you plan your journey,” she said.
Motorists face disruptions on Spaghetti Junction. Photo / Dean Purcell
Hori-Holt urged motorists to be kind to workers by travelling to the posted speed limits and being patient.
“We care about our team and believe everyone should be able to return home safely to their whānau at the end of the day,” she said.
The city’s public transport network will be without trains from December 27 until reopening on January 28 - an extended closure as part of the ‘final push’ to prepare for the $5.5 billon City Rail Link, due to open to passengers in 2026.
KiwiRail general manager metros Jon Knight said it’s a massive feat, involving more than 1350 KiwiRail staff and contractors working across 110 sites to complete work they need to do.
“We’re grateful to our people who are giving up their summer break to work around the clock to get this done while we make the most of the quiet travel periods to carry out the bulk of the closures,” he said.
The disruptive rail upgrade is necessary for when trains begin running on the City Rail Link in 2026.
During rail closures - Aucklanders face up to 96 days without train services over 13 months - trains will be replaced by buses, including express services.
“We’re working hard to keep Auckland moving,” said Auckland Transport director of public services and active modes Stacey van der Putten.
Among rail works taking place over the summer are: the completion of the Papakura to Pukekohe electrification project for electric trains to run from February 3; finishing an upgrade of Middlemore station; work on a major upgrade of Henderson station; and flood and slip recovery work.
Because the rail network will be closed to all trains during the summer, freight supplies usually moved by rail will go on trucks.
This will increase road traffic, particularly in South Auckland around KiwiRail’s freight hub at Southdown.
Adding to the traffic woes, AT is closing three busy arterial roads over the holidays - Birkenhead Rd, Great South Rd in Papatoetoe, and Hunua Rd in southeast rural Auckland.
All you need to know
Motorway works
State Highway 1/SH16 Central Motorway (Spaghetti Junction) - December 26, 9pm -January 6, 5am.
Replacement of a bridge joint on southbound lanes between the Symonds Street and Grafton Rd overbridges with daytime lane reduction and full closures overnight on SH1.
Symonds St southbound on-ramp and SH16 eastbound to SH1 southbound link closed for duration of the works.
Motorists are encouraged to use the Western Ring Route and SH20 to avoid congestion.
Auckland Harbour Bridge - December 26, 2am-January 6, 5am.
Resurfacing of southbound clip-on lanes (lanes one and two), followed by bridge maintenance work under the northbound clip-on lanes (lanes one and two).
There will be lane restrictions 24/7 but traffic will still be able to travel in both directions at all times.
Delays are expected and motorists are encouraged to use SH16 and SH18 Western Ring Route where possible to avoid congestion.
SH16 Port area January – April 2025.
As part of several improvement projects in the Port area next year there will be full lane closures at weekends and lane restrictions on weeknights. Detours will be in place.
Buses will replace rail services over summer. Photo / Michael Craig
Trains will be replaced by buses which will run Saturday and Sunday timetables between December 25 and January 3. There will be additional bus services during the Saturday timetable on December 27, December 30, December 31, and January 3.
Between December 21 and January 5, most ferries will operate on a weekend timetable.
On New Year’s Eve, buses and ferries will operate on a Saturday timetable, with extra buses running after midnight. AT’s mobile app or Journey Planner will show travel options.
The last ferries from Downtown to Waiheke will run at 12.15am via Devonport, and direct to Matiatia at 1am.
Birkenhead residents will have roadworks over the summer break.
Roads
Birkenhead Rd will have a one-way southbound closure between Onewa Rd and Pupuke Rd from December 27 to February 3 for rehabilitation works. There will be a continuous detour for southbound traffic with one lane always open for northbound traffic.
