The alliance will plan and design the 24-kilometre light rail network, half of which will run underground. The project is essential to the creation of a modern, multi-modal transport system in Auckland.
Auckland Light Rail will encourage quality growth, give people more travel choices, make the transport network for Auckland and beyond more resilient, and tackle congestion and harmful pollution.
Aurecon managing director聽Tracey Ryan聽said the announcement marked a real step forward for Auckland. 鈥淟ight rail will be a game changer for Auckland, and its benefits will be felt for generations to come. Aurecon is delighted to partner with Arup to deliver this once-in-a-generation project, drawing on Aurecon鈥檚 deep local and international experience delivering major transport projects such as聽Auckland City Rail Link聽and Arup鈥檚 global expertise in city-shaping.鈥�
Arup鈥檚 New Zealand group keader, Mayurie Gunatilaka, added: "We look forward to working with Aurecon and bringing our complementary skills and multidisciplinary international experience to this legacy project which will provide significant benefit to the people of T膩maki Makaurau [the Maori name for Auckland].
鈥淥ur team combines deep local knowledge with international best practice drawn from helping cities across the world聽transition to net zero, improve the health of their eco-systems and maximise social value and build resilience.鈥�
The alliance was named preferred bidder after a competitive and independent tender process involving New Zealand and international companies.
Work is due to start soon on the next critical planning phase to expand Auckland鈥檚 rapid transit system and provide seamless travel options for Aucklanders.
鈥淭he ALR alliance will work on a final route for light rail and proposed locations of up to 18 stations. It will also develop light rail鈥檚 final corridor business case, building on the indicative business case developed by the Auckland Light Rail Establishment Unit, as well as look at how the system will be built and prepare the consents needed for construction,鈥� said Auckland Light Rail project director Tommy Parker.
The project will聽engage with communities聽throughout this year and next聽to help shape final decisions, said Aurecon.
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