Auckland's $1.4b Eastern Busway project draws near

Caryn Wilkinson Reporter from Community News

A new busway in east Auckland is drawing nearer to completion with a new alliance formed to carry out the last construction stages.

The $1.4 billion project will see three new stations in Panmure, Pakuranga and Botany connected by bus, cycle and walking lines by 2025.

It promises to generate thousands of jobs to help the region recover from the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Fletcher, Acciona, AECOM and Jacobs have been chosen to design, consent and build the final stages of the Eastern Busway project, expected to carry more than 30,000 people a day between the rapidly growing south-eastern suburbs and the rail network in Panmure.

The busway will cut travel time between Botany and Britomart, reduce traffic congestion and vehicle emissions, said Auckland Mayor Phil Goff.

It will help give East Aucklanders a less than 40 minute commute from Botany to the CBD, said Minister of Transport Phil Twyford.

The alliance will start critical design and consenting work before progressing to construction, expected to start in 2022.

The group has overseen other major infrastructure projects including Auckland's Waterview Connection, the SH 16 Causeway Upgrade and Brisbane's Eastern Busway.

Remaining stages of the project will extend the high frequency busway under construction between Panmure and Pakuranga to a new station in Botany Town Centre.

Project Alliance Board Chair Dean Kimpton said the alliance partners are excited to be part of a project that will contribute wide-reaching social and economic benefits to the Auckland region.

"The next stages of the project are expected to generate hundreds of jobs in the short-term and provide work for thousands of people and dozens of businesses in the supply and construction sector," Kimpton said.