Auckland rail services have resumed after a partial closure to carry out upgrades across the network ahead of the City Rail Link (CRL) opening in 2026.
Over the school holidays, about 400 team members worked day and night to upgrade and renew rail infrastructure at “priority locations” along the city’s railway system.
KiwiRail and its partners worked at more than a dozen sites in locations such as Homai, Te Mahia, and Takanini stations in south Auckland to rebuild foundations under rail lines and install new drainage.
The closures, which affected passengers on the Southern Line south of Puhinui, helped to get the network ready for the more frequent trains CRL will bring oto the region.
Dave Gordon, KiwiRail Chief Metro and Capital Programme Officer, said: “KiwiRail would like to thank our neighbours living near these locations for their understanding as we undertake this critical 24/7 work.
“Our thanks also extend to the travelling public for their flexibility during this year’s series of full and partial rail closures.
“When trains aren’t running on parts of the network, our teams can remove the rail and sleepers and do the substantive work to the foundations and drainage which gives confidence that the network can support the additional trains CRL will enable.”
KiwiRail’s Rail Network Rebuild (RNR) programme to upgrade and renew rail foundations and drainage is now in its final stages.
RNR work will continue for priority areas throughout the September/October school holidays, and weekend work will start later this month in suburbs including Parnell and Newmarket.
KiwiRail is continuing to upgrade drainage around Henderson Station in west Auckland so it can install new tracks and extend the platform before CRL opens next year.
Auckland Transport recently finished its project to install new lifts and escalators in the station.
