New Zealand – Major Infrastructure Projects 2024

City Rail Link – Auckland, New Zealand 

Value: $5.493 billion NZD

The City Rail Link (CLR) is New Zealand’s most significant transport infrastructure project. Predictions indicate that CRL stations will need to cope with 54,000 passengers an hour at peak travel times rather than the original estimate of 36,000.

Project Spotlight: City Rail Link (CRL)

This major infrastructure project involves constructing a 3.45km twin-tunnel underground rail link up to 42 metres below the city centre, transforming the downtown Britomart Transport Centre into a two-way through-station that connects the Auckland rail network. Four stations will be redeveloped and built to bring new train station connections. 

It includes a redeveloped Mount Eden Station, where the CRL connects with the North Auckland (Western Line) and new underground stations.

Major construction work began in September 2019 and is expected to be completed by November 2025.

Click here to read more about the project. 

Source: City Rail Link 2024

East West Link – Auckland, NZ

Value: 1.85 billion NZD

The East West Link (EWL) will provide a new transport connection on the northern side of the Māngere Inlet between Onehunga and Penrose, providing improved connectivity.

With cycleways and footpaths, the new four-lane road will cross along the southern side of the Onehunga / Penrose business area. As a result, improving travel times and travel time reliability, making it easier for local business owners, freight and customers to get into and out of the area.

The works proposed for this major infrastructure project includes:

• New Four-lane arterial road
• SH1 Widened
• Upgrades to the Neilson St Interchange
• A full pedestrian and cycling link
• Local road connections
• Coastal edge of Māngere Inlet
• Wetland treatment

Click here for more information.

Waitematā Harbour Connections – Auckland, NZ 

The Waitematā Harbour Connections is the proposed multi-modal transport corridor across the Waitematā Harbour in Auckland.

Currently, the Auckland Harbour Bridge provides the only direct ‘cross-harbour’ road link between Auckland’s city centre and the North Shore. As the population is increasing, the bridge is coming under increasing operational pressure, carrying over 184,000 vehicles per day. That’s why, a second harbour crossing is needed in the near future.

Project Spotlight: Waitematā Harbour Connections

The new harbour crossing will likely be the most expensive infrastructure project ever undertaken in New Zealand costing billions of dollars.

Currently, the project is in the ‘detailed planning’ phase. Construction will begin in 2029. 

Auckland: Five scenarios for Waitematā Harbour Connections revealed

Click here to read more about the project. 

Source: © 2024 Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency

Takitimu North Link – Tauranga, North Island 

The Takitimu North Link project is a new 14km four-lane highway connecting Tauranga, and Ōmokoroa is a key strategic transport corridor for the region. It will provide greater travel choice with public transport and a shared path for walking and cycling.

The interchanges will be built at Minden Road and Ōmokoroa Road, a new bridge crossing over the Wairoa River, an underpass at Cambridge Road and Wairoa Road, and a new westbound single lane connection from 15th Avenue to the Takitimu Drive Toll Road.

Takitimu North Link will be constructed in two phases, beginning in late 2021, subject to property negotiations.

Takitimu North Link stage one ($665 million)

Stage One of Takitimu North Link is a 6.8km two-lane connection between the existing State Highway Two new Te Puna and State Highway 29 Takitimu Drive Toll Road. The project includes:

• a separate walking and cycling path 
• one lane in each direction 
• eight bridges over the connection 
• an interchange overbridge at Minden Road 
• underpasses at Cambridge Road and Wairoa Road 

Fulton Hogan and HEB Joint Venture commenced construction in 2021 and will be expected to open in 2026. 

Takitimu North Link stage two ($455 million)

Stage two of Takitimu North Link will involve a 7km connection between Te Puna and Ōmokoroa. The scope of works involve: 

• new 7km four-lane highway with median and side barriers 
• 7km of shared path 
• overbridges at Plummers Point Road/Barrett Road and Snodgrass Road/Te Puna Quarry Road 
• grade-separated interchange at SH2/ Ōmokoroa Road
• connection to the Takitimu North Link stage one 
• retaining the existing State Highway 2 as a local road 

Takitimu North Link project in New Zealand wins International Design award

Cambridge Road Overbridge nears completion as part of the Takitimu North Link project

Click here to read more about the Takitimu North Link project. 

Source: © 2024 Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency

Ōtaki to North of Levin new highway – Ōtaki, North Island

Value: $1.5 billion NZD

The Ōtaki to North of Levin new highway is the northernmost section of the Wellington Northern Corridor. It will improve the safety and resilience of the transport network connecting Ōtaki and Levin, and the wider region.

Downer, McConnell Dowell, Beca and Tonkin+Taylor consortium and Fulton Hogan, HEB, WSP and Aurecon consortium were selected as the preferred tenderers for the Ōtaki to North of Levin highway project in NZ.

Improvements to the safety of State Highway 1 from Ōtaki to Foxton and State Highway 57 to Shannon will be made including the installation of median barriers and roundabouts. 

Two preferred alliance partners announced for Ōtaki to the north of Levin highway in New Zealand

Click here to read more about the project. 

Source: © 2024 Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency

O Mahurangi Penlink – Whangaparāoa Peninsula, North Island

Value: 830 million NZD

The O Mahurangi Penlink will create an alternative access route to the Whangaparāoa Peninsula to connect to State Highway 1. The 7km highway will create a more resilient network and get people where they need to be faster, whether by public transport, cycling, walking, or vehicle. 

The objectives of this major infrastructure project is to:

• reduce traffic volumes through the Silverdale Interchange, providing transport capacity for housing developments in Wainui, Silverdale West, and development on the Whangaparāoa Peninsula
• improve connections to support economic activity in Dairy Flat and Silverdale
• support improved public transport services with more reliable journey times
• provide new and safer facilities for people on foot and bikes
• provide greater network resilience.

Key features include:

• A new 7km highway corridor
• A bridge over the Weiti River accommodating the separated walking and cycling shared path
• South-facing ramps to SH1, with an overpass over SH1
• Local road connections at Whangaparāoa Road, Stillwater Township and East Coast Road.
• A separated shared path between Whangaparāoa Road and East Coast Road
• A new bridge crossing the Wēiti River 
• Ability to link with future residential developments between East Coast Road and Stillwater 

The successful tenderer is a joint venture comprised of HEB, Fulton Hogan, Aurecon, and Tonkin + Taylor. 

Early works commenced in January 2024, and major construction began in October 2023. Once open to the public in December 2026, O Mahurangi Penlink will be a toll road. 

Click here to read more about the O Mahurangi Penlink project. 

Source: © Infrastructure Partnerships Australia 2024

Source: © 2024 Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency

Image Source: © 2024 Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency

Southern Auckland Rail Stations – Auckland, NZ 

Value: 247 million NZD

In line with plans currently underway to improve railway access to the region, three stations have been funded for additional improvements to public transport by the New Zealand Government. 

The three stations are: 

1. Drury Central Station – will be located on the existing rail line south of Waihoehoe Road, between Flanagan and Great South Roads. It is to be near a proposed large town centre to the south of Waihoehoe Road.
2. Drury West Station – will be located on the existing rail line, about 450 metres south of SH22 / Karaka Road and Jesmond Road. Future housing settlements are to be developed close by, enabling commuters to get to the station easily on foot or bike.
3. Paerata Station – will be located on the existing rail line, adjacent to the planned eastern extent of the Paerata Rise development. A larger park-and-ride facility with bike parking and a bus interchange would provide access to the station.

Procurement for the primary contract has begun, and a contract is expected to be awarded soon. Major construction is scheduled to begin in late 2024. Construction is expected to be completed in 2026. 

Click here to read more about the Southern Auckland Rail Stations project. 

Source: © Infrastructure Partnerships Australia 2024

Te Ara o Te Ata – Mt Messenger Bypass – Taranaki, New Zealand

Value: $280 million NZD 

The Te Ara o Te Ata – Mt Messenger Bypass is a 6km route from Uruti to Ahititi that avoids the existing steep, narrow and winding route over Mt Messenger on State Highway 3 (SH3) in North Taranaki. 

It involves two bridges of approximately 30m and 125m in length and a 235m tunnel. Once built, the route will be lower and less steep than the current road. 

The objectives of the bypass are to reduce road closures, avoid serious injuries and fatalities, improve journey time predictability, and improve drivers’ experience along SH3. 

Construction works are underway and is expected to be completed by 2027. The Mt Messenger Alliance involves Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, Downer, HEB Construction, Tonkin & Taylor and WSP.

Click here to read more about the Te Ara o Te Ata – Mt Messenger Bypass project. 

Source: © 2024 Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency

Last Update: 17 April 2024