The team behind Auckland’s City Rail Link is confident that an asbestos scare hasn’t delayed the project. 

Newstalk ZB can reveal supplier Pacific Doors warned the City Rail Link (CRL) delivery team, Link Alliance, of potential asbestos in small access panel areas and some fire doors in the tunnels. 

Testing was carried out and no asbestos traces were found. 

CRL Limited chief executive Patrick Brockie said it has not caused any delays to the project’s opening. 

He said Link Alliance has an asbestos management plan in place, including a process with a competent asbestos company, for any removal or interference. 

CRL Limited chief executive Patrick Brockie says asbestos testing has not caused any delays to the project’s opening. Photo / Michael Craig 

The Government confirmed last week the project will open to passengers in the second half of next year. 

Minister for Auckland Simeon Brown said work is now moving from construction to the testing of the system. 

“As an engineer, I appreciate there are more than 16,000 tests across every part of the project to prepare for handover and gain the safety approvals needed to open to the public,” Brown said. 

Transport Minister Chris Bishop said a thorough programme of tests is under way to ensure the CRL is safe and the new train timetable is reliable from day one. 

“Aucklanders continue to show patience and understanding as this massive construction project begins to see light at the end of the tunnel, and we want to thank them for that. It won’t be too much longer,” Bishop said. 

Minister for Auckland Simeon Brown (left) and Transport Minister Chris Bishop aboard the first passenger train ride on the City Rail Link in August. 

The CRL was first planned in 2008 but construction did not begin until 2016 under a 50/50 agreement between Auckland Council and the Government. 

The cost was first estimated at between $2.8 billion and $3.4b. In 2019, the cost ballooned to $4.4b and it hit $5.5b in 2023. 

When it opens next year, trains will run every four or five minutes at peak times through the central city. 

Peak capacity will be 19,000 passengers per hour, compared with the current 12,000 passengers per hour. 

Jacob Jones is a Newstalk ZB reporter working out of the Auckland newsroom. He has an interest in council and local government issues.