30 November 2016

Changes coming for Britomart station users

Downtown train users returning from their Christmas break will find the current Queen Street entrances for the Britomart Transport Centre closed and new entrances created for Britomart station.

Auckland Transport says the Chief Post Office building, which houses the present entrances at Britomart, is closing for strengthening works prior to the City Rail Link (CRL) tunnels being constructed.

To catch a train from downtown, passengers will need to use a new entrance in Commerce Street, behind Queen Street. Access will be available from Tyler Street, Galway Street and the Takutai Square (eastern entrance). The new temporary entrance will operate for the next three years.

Auckland Transport is assuring passengers that all trains and timetables will run as usual. Britomart will remain operational throughout the construction work, which is being done by a Downer Soletanche Bachy joint venture.

The ticket and top up machines, the ticket office and customer service centre will be moved to the new entrance. There will be new toilets as the present ones at the Chief Post Office building will close. There will be stair and some escalator access from the Commerce Street entrance. Takutai Square has escalator access. For those unable to use the stairs, there will be still be lifts to take people to the platform.

An information kiosk has been set up in the present building next to the Customer Service Centre to explain the forthcoming changes. AT ambassadors will also be helping guide people when the changeover occurs.

The Chief Post Office building was opened in 1912 by the then Prime Minister William Massey in front of a crowd of about 10,000 Aucklanders. As a heritage building, all heritage values will be maintained during construction. Those involved in the construction are working closely with Heritage New Zealand.

When completed, the City Rail Link project will mean more frequent trains across the network, more direct services to the city centre and will double the number of people who can use trains at peak times. The CRL will also provide opportunities for new commercial, residential and retail developments, particularly around the stations.

Key Facts

• The CRL will use twin 3.4 kilometre long tunnels up to 42 metres below the city streets.

• It is estimated to take five and a half years to build.

• There will be two new stations – mid-town close to Aotea Centre with entrances at Wellesley and Victoria Streets (11 metres deep) and at Mercury Lane just off Karangahape Rd (33 metres). Mount Eden Station will be redeveloped.

Note to editors: The actual day this will happen is impossible to determine until closer to New Year as it depends on construction progress but will occur sometime early in January as people start to return to work.

The information kiosk at Britomart.(Information kiosk at Britomart.jpg)

For more: https://at.govt.nz/projects-roadworks/city-rail-link/

ENDS

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