Name and Location
Auckland City Rail Link (CRL) upgrade project, New Zealand.

Client
Auckland Transport.

Project Description
The CRL is an underground rail line linking Britomart and the city centre with the existing western line near Mt Eden, in Auckland.

The upgrade includes the construction of two 3.4-km-long twin tunnels, up to 42 m below city-centre streets.

These will enable the underground extension of the existing rail line through Britomart to Albert, Vincent and Pitt streets, including additional city-centre stations.

The CRL rail improvements will allow commuters to have access to additional, faster trains, which will run more frequently and provide more reliable and direct services to an increased number of destinations.

Value
NZ$2.86-billion.

Duration
Auckland Transport plans to start construction of the CRL in 2015/16 and to open it in 2021.

Latest Developments
Mott MacDonald, together with Aurecon, Jasmax and Grimshaw, has been appointed to undertake the reference design for the upgrade of the CRL in Auckland, New Zealand.

Mott MacDonald and the team are leading the design of the stations and the mechanical and electrical systems. Sustainability, system assurance, human behavioural factors and people movements will be taken into account when designing the system link, which will meet reliability, availability and maintainability requirements.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
Mott MacDonald, Aurecon, Jasmax and Grimshaw (reference design).

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Auckland Transport, tel +64 9 355 3553.
Mott MacDonald, Tom Smith, tel +44 20 8774 2205 or email tom.smith@mottmac.com.
Aurecon, tel +64 4 472 9589, fax +64 4 472 9922 or email wellinton@aurecongroup.com.
Jasmax, tel +64 9 366 9626 or email studio@jasmax.com.
Grimshaw, tel +61 2 9253 0200 or email info@grimshaw-architects.com.