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Numbers driving the landmark Rā Hihi flyover grow by the day, and there’s reassurance vehicle movement will continue to be monitored as the $152 million overpass integrates into the local road network. “The Eastern Busway team have assured me they and the Auckland Transport Operation Centre will be keeping a close eye on traffic flow following the opening and will be making ongoing adjustments to traffic light phasing where needed,” says local Pakūranga MP – his office is across the Pakūranga Road, and Minister for Auckland, Simeon Brown. “The community were already thrilled to hear the flyover would be opening five months ahead of schedule, so bringing it forward again is icing on the cake,” he says of last Saturday’s opening for two-way traffic nine days ahead of schedule. “This is incredible news for the east Auckland community. Huge credit to the hard work and dedication of the Eastern Busway Alliance team who have been working day and night for the last month to make this happen. “The flyover will make a big difference to travel times around east Auckland. Even with it just partially open, my office heard from many locals reporting improved travel times as they head to work or out of the area. “With it open for two lanes of traffic from Howick, and in the opposite direction for locals heading home, travel times will continue to improve,” Brown says. “On behalf of the people of east Auckland I want to say a big thank you to everyone who has worked on this project to get it completed early and under budget.” Auckland Transport says “about 16,000 east Auckland drivers a day” are cruising over Rā Hihi at 50kph. Eastern Busway programme director Andy Huang says AT “is delighted drivers are already enjoying easier journeys while work continues to complete the Eastern Busway”. “On the first day the two citybound lanes opened around 12,000 vehicles travelled across the flyover. “That number jumped to 15,000 the next day, and numbers continue to rise as drivers discover the faster route. “After partially opening the flyover five months ahead of schedule, we’re really pleased to open the other lanes ahead of schedule thanks to 24/7 planning and works. “This means time saved for people getting to work and home again,” Huang says. “It’s critical that transport choices meet the varying needs of Aucklanders. The Eastern Busway is connecting east Auckland to the wider region and provides transport options for people to get to more places, more frequently.” Brown points out there will be “ongoing work at the old Ti Rakau Drive intersection”. It includes the temporary closure of the right turn lane from Ti Rakau Drive onto the South-Eastern Highway, for traffic coming from Panmure and Pakūranga Road. The left turn lane from the Botany direction is staying open. This phase of work will take place from October 24, Labour Day Weekend, until Christmas. “The flyover won’t only improve traffic flows in our area, it will also serve as an example of how we can build significant infrastructure in New Zealand more efficiently, with better value for money, in the future,” Brown says. Huang says: “People can already get to the city centre easily from Pakūranga using the already open section of the busway and train. “When the City Rail Link opens, people will be able to get to even more places conveniently by bus and train, like Eden Park or Henderson. “When the full busway opens in 2027, it will provide a reliable 40-minute trip by bus and train between Botany, Pakūranga, Panmure and Waitematā Station. “Thank you to the community for your patience while the busway is built,” Huang says. “We’re now preparing for 24/7 work during the summer holidays when there is less traffic and we can complete the intersection of Tī Rākau Drive and the South-Eastern Highway in one go.” AT says by 2028, the completed Eastern Busway is expected to carry 18,000 passengers per day, with projections rising to 24,000 passengers a day by 2048. The Eastern Busway project is funded by the Government and Auckland Council. It’s being delivered by an alliance of AT with Fletcher Construction, ACCIONA, AECOM and Jacobs, in partnership with mana whenua, Ngai Tai ki Tamaki. For recent Times’ stories and photos about the Rā Hihi flyover, read
