Project Update
Removal of level crossings in Takaanini and Glen Innes
As you may recently have seen in the media, the Government has announced it will bring forward funding to accelerate the removal of level crossings in Takaanini and Glen Innes to increase safety and help keep our city moving.
Auckland Transport is continuing to work with Government and Auckland Council on funding details and how these projects will be delivered in our communities. We understand that this announcement means the project will be delivered sooner than you had previously expected. Following funding discussions with Government and Auckland Council we will be able to update you in more detail, including on likely timelines for further property discussions and delivery.
Property discussions are subject to funding outcomes and resolutions on appeals for the Takaanini Level Crossing Notice of Requirements.
Where are we now?
Auckland Transport has now lodged with Auckland Council the final designation decisions on the 2 Notices of Requirement (NoRs) for Takaanini Level Crossings.
The decision on the NoRs follows Auckland Transport receiving Council’s recommendation from the independent hearings panel following the hearing which was held in May-June 2024. The Council’s recommendation was issued in November 2024.
Auckland Council is notifying submitters and other interested parties of the decision and the 15-working day appeal period. The next step after that will be resolution of any appeals that may be filed with the Environment Court.
Notices of Requirement (NoRs) for Takaanini Level Crossings
- Takanini Level Crossing (TLC) - Spartan Road, Manuia Road, Manuroa Road and Taka Street (NoR 1)
- Takanini Level Crossing (TLC) - Walters Road level crossing closure and new multi-modal bridge (NoR 2)
Past Phases
Notices of Requirement were lodged with Auckland Council in October 2023.
Auckland Council publicly notified the Notices of Requirement in November 2023 and submissions closed in December 2023.
The lodgement documents are available for you to read by going to Auckland Council's website
Update on proposed changes for Walters Road – August 2024
During the public hearing in May and June 2024, submitters with interest and concerns regarding the design of the Walters Road overbridge felt that the design lodged with Council to be the most disruptive option for community and property owners.
Submitters and the Te Tupu Ngātahi team continued to engage post lodgement on solutions and agreed to work together to refine the design. By April 2024 agreement had been reached on design and designation changes. This has all been documented in a Joint Memorandum of Counsel to the Hearing Panel. Read below to find out about the changes.
What was the original design, and the concerns submitters had:
The lodged NoR involved a straight, online bridge alignment, with direct access lanes needing property take to accommodate.
Submitters wanted to see:
- A better physical separation between the Town Centre and the proposed bridge to reduce visual impacts.
- Reduced property impacts on the north side of the road including the Town Centre.
- Ensuring continuous vehicular access
- Reduced construction disruption to properties on the north side of the road.
- Reduced risk to buildings closest to the bridge works from construction.
What are the features of the changes
The new design involves:
- A move south of the proposed bridge
- Creating more than 15 metre separation to the Town Centre buildings
- A new access road loop utilising the existing Walters Road alignment west of the rail line
- Provision for future reinstatement of left-in access to Town Centre.
- Ability to remove impacts entirely from the properties at 6, 12, 20, 20A Walters, and 230 Great South Road; and to remove it partially from 30 Walters Road.
Level crossings in Takaanini Timeline
Click on the orange icons to track the progress of level crossings in Takaanini.
About Level crossings in Takaanini
As well as improved train services, we’re looking at changes to help reduce delays when people cross the tracks at level crossings in Takaanini.
In the future there will be even more trains operating across Tāmaki Makaurau. As well as improved train services, we’re looking at changes to help reduce delays and improve safety when people cross the tracks at level crossings in Takaanini.
More trains will mean bigger delays for people using level crossings because safety barriers will be down more often and for longer. Some people take risks to avoid being delayed by safety barrier arms.
We want to reduce the number of level crossings in Takaanini by replacing them with other options, like bridges that go over the tracks. This will make it safer and faster for you to move around Takaanini.
These changes are still a number of years away, but we are planning for them now to make sure, that as the population grows in South Auckland, especially in and around Takaanini, people can move around more safely and efficiently.
Where are we thinking about changing level crossings in Takaanini?
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