Coming up in 2024

In November, we shared an updated construction timeline for the Midtown Regeneration Programme.

In 2023, the focus of the midtown programme has been on progressing the City Rail Link project and bringing Te Hā Noa to Victoria Street. In 2024, the next phases of the midtown programme will commence, including significant wastewater upgrades at the intersections of Queen Street with Wellesley Street, Victoria Street and Mayoral Drive, and a focus on preparing Wellesley Street West for the thousands of people who will move through each day when Te Waihorotiu Station is operational.

What to expect in your area

Victoria Street West

Once the changes to the roadway are made (see above for details), work on Victoria Street West will finish for the holiday period and start again on 8 January 2023. There may be some minor work undertaken between Christmas and the new year but we do not expect any significant disruption to neighbours during this time.

In January 2024:

• We’ll continue our work on the northern side, as we lay concrete and paving for the new footpath between Countdown and Queen Street. We expect to finish paving in this area by the end of February 2024.
• Work on the new section of roadway between Countdown and Queen Street will also begin with preparation of base layers and pouring concrete. We plan to asphalt this section of road at the end of February.
• We are aiming to complete the northern side by April 2024, and then we’ll move to the southern side, near ANZ. Planting will follow later in the year.

For questions about construction in this area, you can reach our contractor JFC’s Stakeholder Liaison Manager Sally Logan at sally.logan@jfcltd.co.nz or 021 420 794.

Victoria Street East

In Victoria Street East, we’re coordinating closely with utilities companies to complete the futureproofing of underground services before we upgrade the streetscape to create Te Hā Noa. In early January, we’ll start preparatory works for the Midtown Wastewater Upgrade.

• In early January, we’ll start moving existing underground pipes and cables to clear the path for Watercare’s tunnel boring works starting in mid-2024. This involves digging trenches to install new cable ducts and to divert an existing watermain near the intersection of Queen and Victoria streets. To keep traffic flowing on Victoria Street, this work will be done in stages.
• The first stage, in early January, will be on the corner near Farmers. Once that’s complete, work will move to the middle of the road, and then to the Starbucks side. This work is expected to be finished in March 2024.

For questions about construction in this area, you can reach our contractor JFC’s Stakeholder Liaison Manager Sally Logan at sally.logan@jfcltd.co.nz or 021 420 794.

Elliott Street

When Victoria Street opens to two-way traffic before Christmas, vehicles will be able to make a left turn only from Elliott Street.

Between 8 and 21 January 2024, there will be electrical and civil works in three locations along Elliott Street. These works are part of a programme to upgrade the electricity network to support future growth in the area.

Vehicle access along Elliott Street will remain open during this work. No planned power outages are required.

Click here for more information from Vector. If you have any questions, please contact midtown@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz .

Wellesley Street West

In early January, the Link Alliance will resume work on Wellesley Street West for the Te Waihorotiu Station surrounds. Vector will also be working alongside Link Alliance in front of Bledisloe House.

• At the intersection of Wellesley Street with Albert Street, the roadway will reduce to one lane of traffic in each direction
• Some bus stops will be relocated – read more here
• Access to Atrium Carpark, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Huawei Centre and other Albert Street properties in this block will now be via Victoria Street West into Albert Street (no access from Wellesley Street)
• Vehicle access to the service lane below the Crowne Plaza Hotel will be via Wellesley Street only

Read more about these changes here. 

Later, in autumn 2024, we’ll start construction of the Wellesley Street streetscape upgrade and improvements to public transport facilities. We’ll provide more detailed construction information closer to the time.

Wellesley Street East

In mid-February, we’ll start preparatory works for the Midtown Wastewater Upgrade.

• Utility diversions, using open trenching, will take place where Wellesley Street intersects with Queen Street. This work will begin in mid-February 2024 and take around three months.
• In autumn 2024, we’ll start work on constructing a new wastewater pipeline tunnelled under Queen Street. Our site outside Yoyoso will be active until mid-2025.

For more information about this work, check out the Watercare website or contact us at midtown@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz .

In late summer, there will also be some work on underground stormwater pipes around Wellesley, Kitchener and Princes streets. We'll provide more information about this in the new year.

Albert Street

Streetscape works continue on Albert Street between Wyndham Street and Mayoral Drive.

In early January:

• Access to Atrium Carpark, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Huawei Centre and other Albert Street properties in this area will be via Victoria Street West into Albert Street (no access from Wellesley St).
• Albert Street, between Victoria Street and Wellesley Street, becomes southbound only.
• Traffic access to the service lane below the Crowne Plaza Hotel property will be available from Wellesley Street only.

Find out more about the work on Albert Street here. If you have any questions, contact the Link Alliance team at 0800 CRL TALK or aotea@linkalliance.co.nz .

Queen & Mayoral

In mid-February, we’ll start preparatory works for the Midtown Wastewater Upgrade.

• Utility diversions, using open trenching, will take place on Queen Street near the intersection with Mayoral Drive. This work will begin in mid-February 2024 and take around three months.
• In autumn 2024, we’ll start work on constructing a new wastewater pipeline tunnelled under Queen Street. We'll have an active worksite near 325 Queen Street until mid-2025.
• We’re also preparing for works on Mayoral Drive and Marmion Street, starting in late 2025. We’ll provide more information about these plans closer to the time.

For more information about this work, check out the Watercare website or contact us at midtown@water.co.nz .

Airedale & Wakefield

Vector have let us know that they’ll be working on improvements to the electricity network on Airedale and Wakefield streets and where they intersect with Queen Street between 27 December 2023 and 28 January 2024. Vector have notified nearby neighbours – if you have any questions please contact the team at info@vector.co.nz .

Midtown Christmas Market - Saturday 16 December

After the success of the recent Midtown Street Parties in September and November, Auckland Council is planning more events and we would love your midtown business to be involved! The council hosts these events to attract more people to the area and remind them of all the great things that midtown has to offer.

The next free public event is on Saturday 16 December, we’re hosting the Midtown Christmas market at Strand Arcade, where you can find goodies ranging from cute and cool to dainty and delicious. There will also be artisan crafts and vintage – all handmade or homemade.

We’re also planning more events for 2024. If your business would like to participate in future events, please contact us at midtown@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz .

We welcome expressions of interest from all ground/first floor businesses in the midtown area. We can help with ideas for activities, offers and/or promotions if needed.