Construction starts on $1.4b Eastern Busway
10 May 2019
High frequency, rapid transit bus
travel for East Auckland is a step closer with construction underway for
the first stage of the
Eastern Busway project.
Transport Minister Phil Twyford and Mayor Phil Goff have joined
Auckland Transport and
NZ Transport Agency officials, Mana Whenua
and the local community to mark the start of construction for the first
stage of the busway between Panmure and Pakuranga.
Mayor Phil Goff says the $1.4b busway will bring congestion-free, high
frequency buses to one of
Auckland’s fastest growing areas.
“The Eastern Busway is a game changer for east Auckland. It will
significantly reduce journey times, ease congestion, provide local
residents with a modern, reliable
public transport system and unlock the
economic potential of east Auckland.
“Once complete, residents in Howick and Botany will see travel times by
bus and train into the city slashed by up to a third and a separated
cycleway will for the first time allow bike and scooter riders to travel
around east Auckland safely.
“The Eastern busway is transformational for Howick, Pakuranga, Botany
and beyond. We’ve been able to speed-up its construction thanks to the
regional fuel tax and I look forward to continuing to hit construction
milestones earlier than would otherwise have been possible,” says Phil
Goff.
Transport Minister Phil Twyford says “This project is a great example of
central and local government working together through the 10-year
Auckland Transport Alignment Project to unlock Auckland’s potential. The
work starting means we are another step closer to having a
congestion-free network.”
The Government, through the NZ Transport Agency, is investing a record
$3.1 billion over three years in public transport to build network
capacity and improve the frequency of services.
“AMETI will connect the growing population of East Auckland into
Auckland’s strategic transport network, providing better connections,
faster journey times and more travel choices,” says the Transport
Agency’s Director of Regional Relationships for the Upper North Island,
Steve Mutton.
The first stage will include transforming Panmure Roundabout into a
safer, signalised intersection, construction of the busway along Lagoon
Drive and Pakuranga Road, a new bridge across Tamaki River, shared
cycling and walking paths, a new reserve at the end of Bridge Street in
Panmure along with improvements for general traffic at key
intersections.
Major work will start at Easter at Panmure Roundabout with construction
progressing along Lagoon Drive and Pakuranga Road over a two year
period.
Measures are being put in place to assist the travelling public during
the construction phase, including additional express bus services
between Howick, Pakuranga and Panmure Station, carrying out intensive
work during periods of lower traffic volumes and ensuring that all
traffic lanes will be maintained for the majority of work.
“This is Auckland Transport’s largest project and while the future
benefits will be significant and we are doing everything possible to
minimise the impacts of work, disruption on major roads around Panmure
and Pakuranga is expected,” says Auckland Transport Chief Executive
Shane Ellison. “We thank the local communities of east Auckland in
advance for their cooperation and patience.”
Future stages of the Eastern Busway between Pakuranga and Botany,
including the Reeves Road Flyover, are currently entering the consenting
process and construction due to start in 2022.
The NZ Transport Agency works to create transport solutions for all New
Zealanders – from helping new drivers earn their licences, to leading
safety campaigns to investing in public transport, state highways and
local roads.
--ENDS--
Source: New Zealand Government - www.beehive.govt.nz
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