The Government and Auckland Council hope to cut travel times for Auckland commuters as a result of a big investment in replacing the city’s level crossings.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Transport Minister Chris Bishop were joined by Mayor Wayne Brown at a sod-turning to mark the start of construction in the coming week on a project in which many of the level crossings are removed or replaced with overbridges for vehicles and pedestrians.

Earlier this year, the Government and Auckland Council agreed to jointly contribute funding for the removal of level crossings in Takanini and Glen Innes.

Once Auckland’s City Rail Link (CRL) opens, increased train frequencies would mean many level crossings being closed for longer than now, causing widespread travel disruption. Separating places where the road intersects with train tracks averts this – it also has safety benefits.

The Takanini and Glen Innes package will involve the removal or replacement of eight level crossings: three will be replaced with new, grade-separated road bridges, three will have new pedestrian-access bridges and the remaining two will be closed.

“The City Rail Link is on schedule to open next year, and will reshape travel for much of Auckland. Commuters can expect faster journeys, less congestion, and a range of other major benefits,” Bishop said.

“Level crossings – where roads intersect with train tracks – are a common source of frustration for motorists. Most people know the sinking feeling when warning lights start flashing and the barriers come down, signalling an approaching train. For truck drivers, tradies, couriers, and many others, those minutes of waiting can mean lost time, and in many cases, lost income,” Bishop said.

Brown said that with the CRL opening next year, allowing for more trains to be added to the network, “removing the level crossings and building new road and pedestrian bridges will cut congestion and make it safer for people to walk and drive in the area”.

“This is about getting a good deal for Aucklanders and is a great example of what can happen when government and council partner to get the work done and improve safety.”

In February 2025 the Government and Auckland Council each confirmed $200 million in funding for the first three years of the work. The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) board approved funding in April 2025. It is anticipated the remainder of the cost will be allocated through the National Land Transport Programme 2027-30.

Auckland’s full level crossing removal programme – so trains don’t stop the traffic on dozens of road and pedestrian crossings across the city’s rail network post-CRL – has previously been costed at $3 billion.

In the past few years, several level crossings have been removed, including two as part of the CRL works at Normandy Rd and Porters Ave in Mt Eden.

In March, Auckland Council announced it was bringing forward $550m in its 10-year budget to remove level crossings at Takanini and Glen Innes.

The move, which will involve the removal of all remaining level crossings on the Southern and Eastern rail lines and the construction of eight new road and pedestrian bridges, was subject to NZTA approving the first $200m of co-funding announced by the Government in February 2025.