Could the solution to removing Auckland’s level crossings lie in the sky?
With level crossings needing to be removed across the Auckland train network should we be looking to our neighbours over the ditch for tips?
While this isn’t a direct apples-to-apples comparison, I think looking over the ditch to our neighbours in Melbourne could provide insights into resolving some of our level-crossing removal issues.
Melbourne’s Level Crossing Removal Project has just surpassed the removal of 80 level crossings, in contrast in Auckland, KiwiRail and Auckland Transport (AT) have removed 7 road and pedestrian crossings across the network in recent years, with the number soon to rise following the removal of the Kingdon Street pedestrian level crossing in Newmarket.
However, more than 30 level crossings remain across the Auckland rail network. Although there are plans to remove several level crossings in the future through a combination of outright closures and plans to bridge the rail line, I believe there are locations where a different approach could be more effective.
I've been following Melbourne’s Level Crossing Removal Project on social media for the past few years. I've noticed that many of their level crossings have been removed by either elevating or trenching stations. I believe the elevated approach could be a strong contender for addressing Auckland’s level-crossing removals.
Elevating stations and tracks frees up the space below the station for new uses, such as shared paths, public parks, bus stations, and many other options.
During a recent trip to Melbourne, I visited the recently elevated Preston station on the Mernda Line. The area below the station had been redeveloped into a park and ride, a public park, a shared path and an expanded sports field.
This approach has been repeated across Melbourne, with the Pakenham Station skyrailing allowing more roads to remain open while level crossings close.
While I don’t have costs for elevating and rebuilding the stations versus building bridges over the train line, there are several stations on the Auckland Train Network where I think this could be a better option.
In my plans, this would be one of the longest elevated sections in Auckland. The elevated tracks would start at Trentham Road and continue to a new station near Tironui Station Road/Walters Road. From there, the tracks would extend to the current Takaanini station, which would be rebuilt. The tracks would then be lowered just before Spartan Road to clear the Southern Motorway. This design would allow three crossings to remain open and result in the addition of a new station in the growing South Auckland region.
Morningside Drive carries the ever-busy 22, and the City Rail Link will bring more frequent trains. Rebuilding Morningside as an elevated station with tracks rising just west of Kingsland station would allow the level crossing to close while keeping the road open.
The station could then be upgraded to better handle event crowds from Eden Park. Additionally, a small bus interchange could be built under the new elevated station for services running along Morningside Drive, providing a better connection to the station.
Starting just after the Titirangi Road bridge, the new elevated rail bridge will ramp up toward the current station, which will be rebuilt in the sky. This area of track is wide due to a historic track alignment, allowing for the construction of the new track and station while keeping the existing tracks operational.
This design will position the station directly above Fruitvale Road and away from the bend in the track at the western end of the station.
Although some property acquisition will be required and the playground will need to be used as a site office, this plan allows for a potential bus connection below the elevated station in the future.
With tracks rising from the nearby Koroi/Clayburn Reserve and passing over Glenview Road before returning to the ground near Singer Park, Glen Eden station could be rebuilt in a Skyrail style.
The land below could be utilised for a public plaza, and a rail-side shared path could connect New Lynn to Sunnyvale. The redevelopment options for the land are endless.
I think you could just close Morningside Drive, reroute the 22 along NNR and terminate the Outer Link at Morningside Station instead of St Lukes to provide the coverage. A simple underpass/subway for active modes with access to the platform would be a lot cheaper than elevating the line along that section. Closure would also enable a new station plaza/town square to be built on the north side of the line.
I love the concept but I have a few concerns surrounding the building process. I suspect that the line would have to be completely shut during the process of building as the line would have to be elevated. Having no train service on important parts of the network caused by the building work would be incredibly disruptive and irritating towards train passengers and I'm not sure that the end result is much better compared to 'conventional' methods of removing road crossings. The costs are also probably a lot more although I have little knowledge on timing and pricing of a project like this but I wouldn't be surprised if these style projects are more expensive.