Three Auckland train stations which have been the scene of dozens of near misses between pedestrians and trains during the past decade will have their pedestrian level crossings replaced by modern, accessible overbridges, Auckland Transport (AT) has confirmed.
AT says new pedestrian overbridges at Glen Innes, Takaanini and Te Mahia stations will improve safety and support more frequent and reliable train services when the City Rail Link opens.
The Government and Auckland Council have brought forward funding to allow construction of the three pedestrian bridges to be fast-tracked, with work starting at Labour Weekend when the rail network is closed and continuing during the summer rail closure.
From this week, AT is asking for feedback on the proposed bridge designs for Glen Innes, Takaanini and Te Mahia stations.
Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Local Board Chair, Maria Meredith says it will be great to have safer access for the Glen Innes community.
“The City Rail Link will enable more efficient travel times from the Glen Innes station, but more importantly, the removal of the level crossing will also enable a far safer environment,” she says.
“By removing level crossing incidents, we’ll have a more efficient and safer network for all users.”
Papakura Local Board Chair, Brent Catchpole says removing level crossings will help keep people moving safely.
“Many crossings were built back when there were less people and less trains operating,” he says.
“As our community grows and more people live near train lines, removing level crossings will help keep people moving safely with less congestion.”
Manurewa Local Board Chairperson, Matt Winiata says he is pleased to see AT progressing plans for the replacement of the pedestrian level crossing at Te Mahia Station.
“The new pedestrian bridge will allow safer access to and from the station platform from both Great South Road and Ferguson Street,” he says.
“This follows significant investment by the Local Board in the Te Mahia pedestrian plaza, transforming a train station with a once uncertain future into a notable transport hub for the surrounding area.”
Auckland Transport Director of Infrastructure and Place, Murray Burt says the new pedestrian bridges will make it safer to access the stations and are part of a broader level crossing programme that will support more frequent and reliable train services when the City Rail Link opens.
“Every single incident at a level crossing has an impact that can be deadly or life-changing, taking a huge toll on train drivers and those who narrowly miss a collision,” Mr Burt says.
Mr Burt says these three level crossings have been prioritised for replacement with accessible overbridges because of how busy the rail network is through those areas.
“Takaanini and Te Mahia stations have been prioritised because that section of the Southern Line is the busiest on the Auckland rail network with a large number of freight and passenger trains,” Mr Burt says.
“Removing the level crossing at Glen Innes Station is needed because it is the last remaining level crossing on the Eastern Line, which will have trains every five minutes at peak after City Rail Link opens.”
The designs for the three bridges have been developed to provide good access to the train stations, improve pedestrian safety, and to deliver value for money for ratepayers.
“We now want to hear feedback from our passengers and local communities about what the designs will mean for access, connection, and safety,” Mr Burt says.
This feedback will be used to finalise the bridge designs and to help with AT’s plans to integrate the bridges and station access into the wider neighbourhoods nearby.
The feedback period on the proposed bridge designs opened on 7 May and runs until 30 May.
Have your say at Level Crossing Removal Programme | Have your say.
