City Rail Link’s Karangahape station will have an entrance in Beresford Square as well as Mercury Lane - and we’re starting to ramp up construction work which means some changes in the area.
The station is the deepest on the Auckland rail network at 32m below ground level and will give the Karangahape community its first modern rail access.
This is what Beresford Square could look like when we are finished.
Beresford Road access changes but businesses still open
Vehicles are no longer be able to access Pitt Street from Beresford Square so that the Link Alliance can construct the new, modern Karangahape Station. The architecturally-designed station will have entrances from both Beresford Square and Mercury Lane when it opens in 2024.
Although vehicle access onto Pitt Street has closed, Beresford Square remains open for business and access to Samoa House Lane, Day Street and private parking buildings will be maintained.
During construction we will install temporary lighting and hoardings that are made with both ply and clear Perspex to help you view our progress and continue to safely use Beresford Square.
Pitt Street - lane closures and bus stop changes
Our first task was to relocate the existing utilities within Beresford Square and on Pitt Street to facilitate the main station construction. To help us move the utilities safely, Pitt Street was reduced to one lane in each direction, between Greys Avenue and Karangahape Road.
In preparation for the lane closures, the bus stop outside Auckland Central Methodist Parish was relocated to 80 Greys Avenue. There are also nearby bus stops on Karangahape Road.
We understand that Pitt Street is home to Auckland Central’s Ambulance and Fire Stations and have worked closely with them to make sure that our work doesn’t impact their access. If you hear sirens or see flashing lights it’s important that you move out of the way as soon as possible, as every second counts in an emergency.
Parking and loading bays
The Wilson’s carpark in Beresford Square closed and some on street parking was removed to enable construction. There are alternative public parking spaces in the area on Samoa House Lane, Day Street, Greys Avenue, St James Street, in Auckland Transport Upper Queen Street carpark and Wilson’s parking spaces on Cross Street and Mercury Lane.
We will sometimes need to close loading bays during the work. We will work closely with businesses to ensure there are temporary loading bays or spaces provided to help deliveries arrive on time.
Summary
BERESFORD SQUARE
Beresford Square will become one of the two entrances/exits for the Karangahape Station (the other will be in Mercury Lane) and the vehicle closure on 6 January will be permanent
The current on-street parking spaces in Beresford Square are not available and the Wilson Carpark at the intersection of Hopetoun Street and Beresford Square closed
Alternative parking locations are available at Day Street, Greys Avenue, St James Street, Auckland Transport’s Upper Queen Street car park and Wilson Parking on Cross Street and Mercury Lane. When the station construction is finished, Beresford Square will be redeveloped as a more attractive public space for Aucklanders to enjoy.
PITT STREET
The Pitt Street lane closures are necessary for the Link Alliance to divert utilities like gas and water away from the station’s construction site. This work involves hydro-excavating and digging deep trenches
The Link Alliance will maintain access to all driveways along Pitt Street, including those to the Fire and Ambulance Stations
Poynton Terrace will remain open with both right and left turns onto Pitt Street available.