City rail link investigated

BY RHIANNON HORRELL

Investigations into a city rail link between Mt Eden and Britomart show it could have one of the steepest rail gradients in the country.

Last week Auckland Regional Transport Authority strategic transport planning manager Matthew Rednall presented an update to Auckland City Council’s transport committee.

He says earlier this year the council signed a memorandum of understanding to progress investigations for the link.

"Parts of it are very steep, there is a 70-metre height difference between Mt Eden and Britomart."

He says the gradient would flatten out at points to accommodate underground stations, which would be on 200-metre-long platforms with access points to the surface.

"We are working on what land is required."

Mr Rednall says stations would be about 700 metres apart, with possible locations at Aotea Square, Karangahape Rd and Newton.

"They are three distinct areas that connect the city," he says.

"The catchment would provide coverage for the whole of the CBD."

There may also be a Waitemata Harbour crossing station and last week the New Zealand Transport Agency lodged a notice of requirement for a possible route.

He says by 2041, trains should be able to reach 200,000 people who live within 30 minutes of the central city.

That is expected to increase city employees from 70,000 to 150,000.

Mr Rednall says recent examples of new train links in Seoul and London show that rail is a critical part of urban transformation.

In Auckland, he says the construction of Britomart spurred a rejuvenation of train use in the downtown area.

"It really led to a dramatic rise in patronage."

He says overarching objectives for the link are to support growth in the region, increase train patronage and ensure the line is integrated with the national network.

Investigations into the city rail route will be complete by the end of next year, with construction seven to 10 years away.

- © Fairfax NZ News