Waitematā Station (Britomart) Newsletter

Kia ora neighbours,

Our thoughts continue to be with those who have been affected by the recent Cyclone Gabrielle and Auckland Anniversary flooding.

From the Waitematā Station (Britomart) team, we hope you and your whānau have stayed safe.

This month's newsletter features:

Cyclone and flooding update
Works in the station
Meet the team - M aria
Britomart Place works
Britomart Place TMP e xtended
Galway St works completed
Rail Network Rebuild - Stage 1 wraps up

Cyclone and flooding update

Dams erected in preparation for Cyclone Gabrielle

City Rail Link has managed to get through Cyclone Gabrielle and the earlier Auckland Anniversary flooding with minimal lasting impacts to the project.

Extensive flood response planning at the CRL construction sites has stood the project in good stead to withstand both the flooding and the cyclone.

The advanced cyclone warning allowed our teams to install additional measures, including erecting dams in the Maungawhau/Mount Eden Station tunnels. Other measures included installing retaining walls, pumps across all sites and the removal of plant and machinery to higher ground.

At this stage there is no identified damage to infrastructure, permanent works or surrounding ground.

The worst-affected site was the cut-and-cover tunnel south of the Maungawhau/Mount Eden Station temporary portal where a mobile crane and several Elevated Work Platforms (EWPs) were partially flooded.

Thanks to the hard work and bravery shown by our workers, the project was able to quickly recover and resume work as normal.

Works in the station

We are pleased to say there was no damage or additional flooding at the Link Alliance's Waitematā Station (Britomart) site.

The team were well-prepared for the weather beforehand. Scrim from fencing was removed and plans were in place to pump water from the tunnels if required. Preparations meant that no damage around the site occurred, and additional pumps were not needed.

Progress on the smoke screen structure continued this month, with the section over the escalators completed and work starting on installing the structure over the train platforms.

Blockwork has been completed at the eastern end of the site and work is now focussed on installing the cable tray in the tunnels and a new roof over the equipment rooms.

Galvanised steel cable trays are being installed to house the station's electrical cables

At the western end of the site, the team are continuing to test and commission mechanical, electrical, fire and hydraulic (MEFH) services, and are closing out minor remaining civil works.

If there are any questions or more information is needed, please email the Link Alliance team at britomart@linkalliance.co.nz

Cable tray construction continues at the Britomart Place end of works

Meet the team - Maria

Name: Maria Hernandez-Curry
Company: Link Alliance
Title: Communications Manager

Typical day consists of: I’m two weeks new to the Link Alliance whānau and so far there hasn’t been a typical day in this role! I’m enjoying working with the Waitematā Station (Britomart) team to ensure that we are keeping you all up to date. I also provide wider communications support to Link Alliance from our head office.

Highlight of the job: After stepping away from the project for almost two years, it’s been incredible coming back to see the mammoth progress and knowing what a great job everyone has been doing.

My personal favourite part of the CRL project is the work at Waitematā Station (Britomart). Having been a part of the opening for Te Komititanga and the re-opening of the station’s Chief Post Office entrance a couple of years ago – coming back and seeing both looking so beautiful and the spaces being used by Aucklanders has been pretty special.

Previous jobs/experience: This is my second stint with the CRL project – I was here between 2019 and 2021 in a communications and engagement role for CRL Ltd, and then left to work on a couple of other infrastructure projects before returning. As well as community engagement experience, I also have a background in sustainability behaviour change.

Message to neighbours: Just a big thank you for your patience while we’re working. This project is definitely more of a marathon than a sprint – but once the CRL is up and running, it’s going to make Auckland an even better and more sustainable place to live.

Britomart Place works

Commencing works on the sunken garden

Surface Works

With the weather impacts over the last month, work on the corner of Scene Lane and Britomart Place has been delayed, but the team are still on track with the work programme.

From the street, you’ll be able to see that the canopy structure has been re-erected, and the roof sheets have been installed. The screed finish inside the void box has been completed for the revised drainage requirements, which involves the CIPP (Cured In Place Pipe) Liner connection works. These works will upgrade the wastewater system in the area.

Tunnel works - South wall construction

Remote operated saw cutting wall into blocks

During the Christmas rail network shutdown at Waitematā Station (Britomart), the entire south wall inside the eastern end of the station was demolished. This was achieved by cutting the wall into two tonne block sections and lifting them onto hi-rail trailers with a mechanical excavator. The wall was successfully dismantled, removing 90 blocks in total and without incident.

This was a major feat and involved tricky engineering work to get to this stage. The area was then handed back on 15 January so that trains could resume services. This is the type of work that can only be completed during temporary rail closures.

New south wall (on the right)

Upcoming works in Britomart Place:

Surface works

Complete CIPP Liner waste-water improvements – Traffic Management Plan in place
Re-establish garden areas
Complete canopy re-establishment
Complete all hard landscaping areas

Tunnel works

Continue work on new cable containments
Complete works to new Platform 1 configuration
Commence works to new Platform 5 configuration

Britomart Place TMP extended

Click image to enlarge

As we continue to reinstate the streetscape around Scene Lane and Britomart Place, some changes are required to the surrounding roads and footpaths. Please bear with us as we adjust works due to the impact of the recent weather events in Auckland.

We will be in touch with our direct neighbours in this area to keep them updated on any works taking place.

The current TMP is in place from late January to late February. However, due to the recent weather events causing a delay in works, this TMP date will need to be extended.

As already notified this TMP includes temporary footpath changes and single lane closures which will take place on Britomart Place and Beach Road. This means:

Britomart Place will be operating in one way direction
Access to and from Scene Lane will be largely unaffected
Beach Road will have a single lane westbound outermost lane (bus lane) closure outside of peak times
At times, a stop/go traffic controller will be present to assist motorists

Galway St works completed

Progress continues in Downtown Auckland with the Galway Street upgrade works completed earlier this month.

On the morning of 10 February, members of Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei blessed the last section of the works, between Te Komititanga and Commerce Street. This transformation of Galway Street by Auckland Council into a pedestrian-friendly laneway links the two of downtown's most-loved public spaces - Te Komititanga and Britomart's Takutai Square.

The work on Galway Street has been coordinated with Cooper and Company’s work on neighbouring buildings. The Hayman Kronfeld Buildings (previously known as the Barrington Sofrana Buildings) are being refurbished with new openings onto Galway Street, including the lobby leading to the office floors, a move that will further enliven the new shared space.

Rail Network Rebuild - Stage 1 wraps up

KiwiRail is undertaking a major upgrade of the Auckland rail network over the next few years in preparation for the opening of City Rail Link. This project, the Rail Network Rebuild, is focussed on replacing the ageing foundations under Auckland’s rail tracks. This will result in more reliable and smoother train rides across the city, increasing frequency.

The first stage of the Rail Network Rebuild is due to be complete on time on 19 March and train services will resume for Onehunga, Te Papapa, Penrose, Ellerslie, Greenlane and Remuera stations from Monday 20 March. Stage 2, affecting train services to Orakei, Meadowbank, Glen Innes, Panmure and Sylvia Park, will begin next.

Find out more about Auckland’s Rail Network Rebuild on KiwiRail’s website.

Find out about train services during the Rail Network Rebuild on AT’s website.

Find out more
For information about Britomart and Quay Park Yard work click here.

How to contact the wider Waitematā Station (Britomart) team:
If you have any questions or concerns about our works, please email the Waitematā Station (Britomart) team at info@cityraillink.govt.nz or phone us on
0800 CRL TALK (275 8255) and press option 1 for Waitematā Station (Britomart) work.

Official use of gifted City Rail Link station names, including Waitematā Station (Britomart), is subject to a New Zealand Geographic Board decision. Visit www.cityraillink.co.nz/meet-your-stations to find out more about the naming process.

Ngā mihi nui
The Waitematā Station (Britomart) Team