Rail route protection supports Auckland’s Growth to 2048

As part of Te Tupu Ngātahi Supporting Growth, Beca is playing a key role in addressing Auckland’s urban growth intensification objectives, by future proofing components of the rail network to meet public transport and freight demand.

Te Tupu Ngātahi Supporting Growth (a collaboration between Auckland Transport and Waka Kotahi) is working alongside partners, Manawhenua, Auckland Council and KiwiRail to identify and protect the future strategic transport network to support future urban areas in the South Auckland.

Beca’s planning and engineering teams were involved in the development of the indicative and detailed business cases for the proposed four-tracking of the 18km rail corridor between Papakura and Pukekohe, the removal of nine level crossings, concept proposals for nine grade separated (over rail) crossings between Takaanini and Pukekohe, and three new rail stations – Drury Central, Ngākōroa, and Paerātā.

So, what did we do and how did we do it? Through early engagement with partners and right-sizing the business case processes, the critical need to address the level crossings in Takaanini was identified as well as the need to improve public transport in the Drury Ōpāheke area. This is due to the increase in the frequency of train operations, particularly following the opening of the City Rail Link (CRL) which in turn with urban growth will increase the barrier arm down-time at each of the level crossings.

To address these concerns, our team at Te Tupu Ngātahi were involved in cost effective alternatives assessment in strong investment cases that protected routes from future development with:

• a fast-tracked consenting process for the stations
• the preparation of Notices of Requirement for the Takaanini Level Crossings.

Outside of the Alliance, Beca is working with KiwiRail and Auckland Transport to progress Notices of Requirement for the four tracking of the existing rail corridor between Pukekohe Station and Papakura Station.

Awards:

• 2023 Resource Management Law Association (RMLA)
• 2023 Finalist for the global the International Planning Excellence Award - Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI)