What should be Auckland's top 10 priority transport infrastructure projects over the next 50 years (2026–2076), and why?
Drawing on the Auckland Plan 2050, Future Connect and the Rapid Transit Pathway: which rapid transit, rail, busway and crossing projects should come first?
Q.1.1 — Transport
What should be Auckland's top 10 priority transport infrastructure projects over the next 50 years (2026–2076), and why?
This question draws on the Auckland Plan 2050, Auckland Transport's Future Connect and Rapid Transit Pathway, and Regional Land Transport Plans to support a projected population increase of 1+ million people. Priorities emphasise public and rapid transit over pure road expansion for sustainability, with some strategic roads for freight and growth corridors.
The candidate priorities:
- City Rail Link extensions and metro-isation — CRL opens in 2026 and doubles rail capacity; future phases include full metro-style operations, third/fourth main lines, and extensions.
- Eastern Busway — full completion and extensions from Pakuranga to Botany.
- North West Rapid Transit — a major corridor from the city centre to Westgate/Kumeū-Huapai.
- Airport to Botany/Māngere Rapid Transit — mass rapid transit linking the airport, Māngere, and the city centre.
- Additional Waitematā Harbour Crossing — a second crossing for rail and/or multi-modal, critical for network resilience.
- Northern Rapid Transit extensions — extending the Northern Busway northward (Albany to Silverdale/Ōrewa).
- Avondale-Southdown/Crosstown Rail Corridor — an east-west rail link via Onehunga.
- South Auckland Rail Upgrades — Papakura-Pukekohe four-tracking and extensions.
- Upper Harbour and SH16/18 alternatives — North West Alternative State Highway and Upper Harbour Rapid Transit.
- Smart technology — AI-optimised traffic management and integrated Mobility-as-a-Service platforms.
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Written by Mark Pervan, Director, City Builders Association Limited
Mark Pervan is the founder and director of City Builders Association Limited, an Auckland civic think tank funded solely by membership. He has run manufacturing plants, with global sourcing and supply chain management in the same role, and has been project manager on multiple commercial and residential building projects. He was also responsible for product design and development across multiple mediums, and served as sales and marketing manager. He is a company director and business owner, including as a director of Idea Foundry. He served three years as an elected member of the Puketāpapa Local Board (2022–2025) and was a council candidate for the Albert-Eden-Puketāpapa ward of Auckland Council.
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