Eastern Busway Project in Auckland runs along at last

East Auckland has been neglected investment in transport infrastructure for decades.

The Eastern Busway and Reeves Road Flyover Project is the first major investment in our transport network since the Waipuna Bridge was constructed in 1971.  

Significant milestone

This year marks a significant milestone in the construction of the Eastern Busway with the first stage between Pakuranga and Panmure due to open around August.

This will include a busway from Pakuranga to Panmure and the new dedicated busway bridge over the Tamaki River.

 
The Busway Bridge from Pakuranga Road to Panmure (Auckland Transport Website)

The next two stages of the Eastern Busway Project consist of the Pakuranga to Botany stage of the busway and the vital Reeves Road Flyover, which will link Pakuranga Road directly to the Waipuna Bridge past the Pakuranga Town Centre, easing congestion in and around Pakuranga.

Delays and assurances

Auckland Transport in 2019 made the decision to package these two stages together with the intention of constructing them at the same time, rather than one after the other as originally proposed. Whilst this decision has meant there have been delays to the timeline for the construction of the next two stages of this Project, assurances have been given that the Project will still be completed on time in 2025.

Details of these proposed design are due to be released later this year, with a formal round of consultation allowing for the community to have their say prior to a consent application being lodged.

I will be working closely together with Botany MP Christopher Luxon to ensure that this Project meets the transport needs of East Auckland, and the Projected growth we are expecting to see in East Auckland which will be home to an estimated 160,000 people by 2030. 

Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown with Auckland Mayor Phil Goff with Howick Local Board Chairperson Adele White, and Howick Councillors Sharon Stewart and Paul Young at the start of construction of the busway bridge on Tamaki River, a part of the $1.4 billion Eastern Busway (Picture Supplied)

This Project must have the capacity to meet the needs of population growth, give us the public transport choice we need, whilst also easing congestion on the road, particularly surrounding the Pakuranga Town Centre.

Simeon Brown is Elected Member of Parliament from Pakuranga. He is the National Party Spokesperson for Police, Correction, SFO and Youth.
He writes an occasion Column for Indian Newslink.
Editor’s Note: Known as the Auckland Manukau Eastern Transport (AMETI), the Project is estimated to cost $1.4 billion and will be constructed in four stages.

AMETI Eastern Busway at a glance

The Eastern Busway Project is separated into four stages: Panmure to Pakuranga (Stage 1);  Pakuranga Town Centre and Reeves Flyover (Stage 2); Pakuranga to Botany Busway (Stage 3) and Botany Town Centre Station (Stage 4).
Key features to be implemented in Stages 1 to 4: (1) New signalised intersection in Panmure
7km busway between Panmure and Botany (2) 7 kms of walking and cycling connections (3)
Two new stations in Pakuranga and Botany (4) Two new bridges across Tamaki River and Pakuranga Creek (5) New flyover connecting Pakuranga Road with Pakuranga Highway (aka South Eastern Highway) and (6) Safety improvements at key intersections and town centres