Video: Auckland City Rail Link -- a first look

Video: Auckland City Rail Link -- a first look

Almost a century after it was first proposed, work will finally begin on Auckland's City Rail Link tomorrow.

Some say it's the springboard the city needs to get it moving; others say it's a colossal waste of money.

The new rail link is made up of 3.4 kilometre-long twin tunnels. There will be two new stations, and the line completes a loop from Britomart to Mt Eden.

Video: Auckland City Rail Link -- a first look

It will double the number of people on the rail network. At peak times it could carry 30,000 people -- the equivalent of 12 lanes of motorway traffic.

The estimated cost is $2.5 billion, which is supposed to be shared between the Auckland Council and central Government, but so far the Government hasn't set aside a cent.

Video: Auckland City Rail Link -- a first look

Auckland Mayor Len Brown sees the project as a major part of solving the city's transport woes, and says he can't see any downside.

"For Aucklanders, a train every six or seven minutes at their rail station is just going to be revolutionary and give them great choices," he says. "It will double the number of people that can go on the trains. That's significant."

Mr Brown says the City Rail Link could also mean even bigger changes for the transport network.

"The city rail tunnel is necessary for us to go to Shore," he says. "We're seriously considering the need to put light rail out to the airport. All of those discussions can now be had."

Mr Brown describes tomorrow as one of the "biggest" days in the city's history.

About the CRL:

Newshub.