Not just onward, but downward for the CRL

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff turned the first spade of soil yesterday as the City Rail Link’s Aotea Station build begins the underground construction stage.

Goff described the start of work as “a significant milestone for the City Rail Link and for Auckland”.

The station, expected to become the nation’s busiest, would be a “game-changer” for the city, doubling rail capacity and moving up to 54,000 people at peak times.

“It’s fantastic to kick off this phase of work, which will help deliver the 21st century public transit network our city needs to be world class.”

Goff and CRL officials also confirmed that the opening of the Wellesley/Albert St intersection was nearing.

It had been closed for the development.

Although that intersection would reopen, the Victoria St/Albert St junction would be closed several days later.

The exact timing of the intersection reopening is yet to be confirmed, but it was expected to happen by early July.

“It is time to start preparing for these changes by planning a better way into the city centre,” CRL chief executive Dr Sean Sweeney said.

“As New Zealand’s largest-ever transport infrastructure project, disruption is unavoidable, but it is important to remember that the city centre around the Aotea site remains open for business and leisure – it will always be a great place to work, to visit and to support local.”

The Aotea Station will be 15 metres deep, with 300-metre platforms and entrances on Wellesley and Victoria streets.

Photo / Michael Craig Right, An artist’s impression of the proposed Aotea Central development above the Aotea Station, at the corner of Mayoral Drive and Wellesley St in central Auckland. Left, the Aotea Station construction site.