Chief executive of New Zealand’s largest transport project resigns to lead Dublin’s MetroLink

Dr Sean Sweeney resigned from his post at New Zealand’s largest transport project and is due to leave his position in September to take on the new role.

MetroLink’s construction costs are around four times greater than City Rail Link’s (CRL) and it will take six times as long to build it.

Dr Sweeney’s father is from Co Mayo, while his mother was born in Liverpool and is of Irish descent.

“There’s a strong personal element involved and the chance for an Irish/Kiwi like me to reconnect with family in Ireland,” he said.

Dr Sweeney studied engineering at Wellington Polytechnic and Auckland University and later gained a Doctorate in Construction Economics from Melbourne University. He worked in the infrastructure industry overseas before returning to New Zealand in 2018 to lead City Rail Link Ltd.

MetroLink will be 19km long – mostly underground – and will be built between central Dublin and the city’s airport while connecting with existing road and rail public transport to include 16 new stations.

“I have been more than honoured to lead CRL and with our finish line approaching rapidly it was no easy decision to leave a project that will always remain special to me,” said Dr Sweeney.

“It will not only do so much for Auckland and Aucklanders, but CRL demonstrates the very best in outstanding teamwork, innovation and design – every one of us who has worked on CRL can rightly feel proud and privileged to have done so.”

City Rail Link Ltd’s chairman, John Bridgman, said Dr Sweeney’s resignation is accepted with regret.

“I congratulate Sean on his new appointment – it is a great opportunity on the world stage for a New Zealander with his outstanding engineering and leadership skills,” said Mr Bridgman.

“Be assured, however, that his resignation will not trigger any slowdown in the project’s momentum. One of Sean’s legacies is the strong leadership team he has established.

“Construction is more than 80pc complete, there is a good atmosphere across all our sites and CRL’s testing and commissioning phase is gathering pace. The project is in great shape and we remain on track to complete the project and hand it over to Auckland Transport and KiwiRail at the end of next year.”

MetroLink and Auckland’s City Rail Link have been contacted for comment.