Construction of Auckland’s final phase is officially underway billion dollar Eastern Busway.
The first section of the free-flowing lane network has already connected Panmure to Pakuranga and the next section will connect Botany to the existing network.
The project has had many ups and downs funding shortfalls have slowed construction Get on.
But last December, the government announced a $200 million contribution to the project, which it will a new station built in Botany.
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Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown said he pushed to get the “vital project” underway.
The $1.4 billion project will provide rapid transit to the sprawling eastern suburbs, with the dedicated bus lane and bike lanes to the terminus in Botany.
The new busway will provide commuters with a high-frequency service every few minutes during peak periods, reducing the journey time from Botany Town Center to Britomart by 20 minutes.
Auckland Transport / Delivered
Auckland’s Eastern Busway project received a $200 million government grant in 2022.
According to Auckland Transport, some 7,000 people already use the Panmure to Pakuranga bus route every day.
Brown said Auckland Transport expected 14,000 passengers a day to use the busway by 2028, and 23,000 from 2048.
“It’s a great example of a project providing Aucklanders with faster travel, both for people taking buses and people driving,” Brown said.
The project also includes a flyover over Reeves Rd to split traffic coming off the Waipuna Bridge from Ti Rakau Drive, creating a direct connection to Pakuranga Rd.
Due to a tightness in municipal funding in 2021, the projected completion date of the busway was postponed by an additional two years from the original completion date.
The Integrated Auckland Transport Plan (IATP) was announced in December 2022 and hailed by Mayor Wayne Brown as the first time all projects, and the possible port relocationwere in one conversation.
The draft plan will be ready by the end of May, led by both the Mayor and Transport Secretary Michael Wood.