The Auckland rail network will be closed from Dec. 27 to Jan. 28, 2026, to allow crews to complete the final major push on the Rail Network Rebuild and other critical City Rail Link preparations.
More than 1,300 workers will be involved in repairing tracks, building new platforms and pedestrian bridges, removing level crossings, and testing the new, more frequent timetable that will launch when CRL opens next year. The network will be fully closed for most of this time, except for some Southern/Eastern and Onehunga Line services returning between Jan. 19 and Jan. 26.
“This work is essential to getting City Rail Link up and running, without it we simply won’t be able to run more trains, more often,” says Auckland Transport Director of Public Transport and Active Modes, Stacey van der Putten.
“Balancing delivery with minimising disruption to passengers and freight is tricky to get right. Using holiday periods, when demand is lower, means we impact fewer people, but for those staying in Auckland or working right through, we understand this is frustrating,” van der Putten added. “Please stick with us, better journeys are around the corner.”
Officials said that when trains aren’t running, invasive work can be completed much more quickly and safely. This is needed in key areas so the network can support additional trains that City Rail Link will enable.
Work completed on sections of the Southern, Eastern and Western lines has already improved reliability and speeds. Over the summer, the Rail Network Rebuild program outlined by KiwiRail a year ago will be completed, with work across at least 40 different sites.
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