Link Alliance for City Rail Link

Auckland’s top transport priority, the City Rail Link (CRL) is the largest transport infrastructure project ever undertaken in New Zealand and the country’s first completely underground railway line.  

Once complete, the 3.45 km twin-tunnel underground rail line will run from Waitematā (Britomart) through the CBD to connect with the existing Western Line at Maungawhau (Mt Eden). It includes a redeveloped Maungawhau Station, two new underground stations: Te Waihorotiu (midtown) and Karanga-a-Hape (uptown) — as well as wider network improvements to support faster, more frequent rail services. 

Downer is one of six companies that form the Link Alliance, delivering the main stations, tunnels and systems for the project. Downer has contributed to multiple sections, including Waitematā Station (Britomart) and Lower Albert Street, tunnels, train stations, rail systems, urban realm upgrades, and station fit outs led by our construction company, Hawkins. 

CRL is the first major New Zealand infrastructure project to make a full, comprehensive shift to a digital approach using Building Information Modelling (BIM). Downer’s Digital Engineering team has worked closely with the client, designers, construction teams, and MEP subcontractors to produce a LOD 400 Construction BIM model to optimise construction planning and execution. 

In addition, Downer will be responsible for maintaining the stations and new infrastructure for Auckland Transport for 30 years post-construction, including asset management, hard maintenance services, cleaning, and pest control.