Levelling up our cities: Learnings from level crossing removals

Barriers come in many forms, from level crossings to congested intersections, and as our urban environments grow, these barriers can evolve from helpful infrastructure into safety risks, traffic congestion points and divides within communities.

We believe infrastructure should do more than move people, it should connect them, safely. Rail level crossing removal is one of the most impactful ways to deliver that change. Projects that remove these critical barriers enable safer, more resilient and better-connected communities.

Across Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia, we’ve supported the delivery of level crossing removal projects in dense urban environments, from Auckland’s City Rail Link to the Victoria Level Crossings Removal Programme in Melbourne. Through this work, we’ve seen how thoughtful design and coordinated delivery can reduce risk, improve travel times and reconnect neighbourhoods.

City Rail Link (North Auckland Line) | Auckland

Keeping freight and people moving safely

As Auckland’s City Rail Link transforms how people travel, it’s also reshaping freight routes like the North Auckland Line (NAL). As part of the Link Alliance, we support KiwiRail and Auckland Transport to design level crossing upgrades that enable both safe freight operations and more frequent passenger services.

The project removed several high-risk crossings, including at Normanby Road, where the level crossing was replaced with a multi-modal road-over-rail bridge.

The design of this future-ready infrastructure involved electrification readiness, geotechnical upgrades, improved drainage systems, and close collaboration with construction partners to develop smart staging strategies — all under live rail conditions.

The project is using Building Information Modelling (BIM) and advanced traffic modelling tools for sequencing, clash detection and disruption management — enabling safer, more efficient delivery with fewer impacts on commuters and freight.

Victoria Level Crossing Removal Project | Melbourne

Bringing lessons across the Tasman

Since 2016, we’ve worked with GHD as Joint Venture Technical Advisor (TA) to support Victoria’s Level Crossing Removal Project (LXRP) — a once-in-a-generation transformation of the metropolitan rail network.

Initially established as the Level Crossing Removal Authority in 2015, the aim of the programme was to remove 75 of the most dangerous and congested level crossings across Melbourne and deliver new stations to improve safety, reduce congestion and increase train capacity.

As TA, our JV has supported LXRP through all phases of planning, design and construction. This includes project management support, technical advice relating to design optioneering, design development to reference design, data collection, options assessment, engineering design, value engineering, cost estimating, planning and environmental approvals, business case development, precinct development, and stakeholder consultation support.

Our team of over 400 technical professionals has worked across disciplines and geographies to deliver a streamlined, tailored and fully integrated approach. We’ve also provided schedule, cost and risk management services aligned at the work order level, detailed work breakdown structures, and numerous automated dashboards that allow discipline leads and the client to readily access accurate, up-to-date cost and schedule information.

Key learnings from level crossing removals 

• Start with the community: early engagement with the community and key stakeholders builds trust and leads to solutions that locals take pride in. 

• Design for people, not just vehicles: Prioritise placemaking and connectivity so that infrastructure becomes a community asset. 

• Be flexible: whether you’re delivering above rail corridors or through busy neighbourhoods — smart staging, sequencing and strong coordination are vital. 

Through projects like CRL and Victoria’s LXRP, we’ve developed a robust playbook for delivering level crossing removals safely and efficiently — and, more importantly, in ways that prioritise people and place. 

Delivering a better world 

Designing for today and tomorrow

Level crossing removal isn’t just about eliminating conflict points between road and rail. It’s about transforming how communities move, connect, and grow.

We bring together transport planners, civil engineers, rail specialists, urban designers, and community engagement experts to reimagine how infrastructure serves people. Our approach draws on years of practical experience delivering projects at pace and scale across the globe.

Because designing safe, connected infrastructure isn’t just a job, it’s a responsibility.

We don’t just remove barriers.

We create bridges — to safer journeys, thriving communities, and a better future.