A new flyover in East Auckland is set to ease congestion and boost the city’s productivity, says Transport Minister Chris Bishop, Auckland Minister, Simeon Brown and Auckland, Mayor Wayne Brown.
The Reeves Road flyover, which directly links Pakuranga Road to Pakuranga Highway, was officially opened today by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.
The new flyover will open to citybound traffic in the coming days, and then fully open in both directions in late October once the intersection work is finished.
It is a key piece of the $1.3 billion Eastern Busway project, jointly funded by the Crown, NZ Transport Agency and Auckland Council and delivered by Auckland Transport.
“The Eastern Busway will benefit both drivers and public transport users. By 2027, people will be able to move quickly by rapid bus and train between Botany, Pakuranga, Panmure, and all the way into the city centre,” said Minister Bishop.
“When the Eastern Busway to Botany is complete it will provide a reliable 40-minute bus and train trip between Botany and downtown Auckland. By 2028 it is forecasted to carry 18,000 passengers per day, with 24,000 passengers per day by 2048.
“Alongside the City Rail Link, which opens in 2026, these projects will reshape the way people get around Auckland. The Panmure to Pakuranga busway, already open, is proof of how rapid transit can give people better access to jobs and opportunities across the city.”
Mr Brown said the busway will deliver a vital public transport link from East Auckland to the CBD, allowing people to travel from Botany to Britomart in just 40 minutes.
“The people of East Auckland had to fight hard to keep the Reeves Road Flyover on the plans after multiple attempts to cancel this project because it was a road. Thankfully, commonsense won and this project will soon be open for motorists,” he said.
Mayor Brown says the flyover will ease traffic delays at one of Auckland’s busiest intersections.
“The Eastern Busway is a major investment by Auckland Council and the Government and delivers on one of my five key policies – Get Auckland moving. As well as the flyover, the project includes 7km of dedicated busway with five new stations, and 12km of walking and cycling routes,” he said.
“I’m focused on delivering projects better, faster and cheaper, so I’m pleased to see Auckland Transport and its Eastern Busway Alliance partners open the flyover five months ahead of schedule and under budget.
“The flyover allows for the creation of a dedicated busway improving the speed and reliability of public transport and reduces congestion. This makes it easier for people to get to their destinations around our city quickly and safely.”
