Construction has begun on the final section of the Eastern Busway, the rapid transit corridor that will link Botany, Pakuranga and Panmure.
Ministers and Mayor Wayne Brown turned the first sod on the last 500-metre section at Guys Reserve.
“Today marks a major milestone for Auckland’s transport network,” Transport Minister Chris Bishop said.
“When the Eastern Busway fully opens in 2027, it will connect Botany, Pakuranga and Panmure, giving people a reliable 40-minute trip from Botany to the city centre by bus and train.”
Howick Ward Councillor Maurice Williamson said the project would transform how East Auckland connected with the rest of the city.
“Combined with the City Rail Link opening this year, the Eastern Busway will make public transport a genuine option for many more people, easing the pressure on our roads as the population grows,” Williamson said.
“I’ve long been an advocate for major transport improvements in East Auckland, so it’s great to see construction beginning on the final stage of the busway.”
The final section connects Ti Rakau Drive to the Te Irirangi Drive and Te Koha Road intersection.
A 600-metre shared path through Guys Reserve will extend walking and cycling connections in the area.
Bishop said public transport use on the busway was expected to grow from 3700 trips a day now to 18,000 by 2028 and 24,000 by 2048.
“After more than a decade working on the Eastern Busway, completing this final section will mean we are one step closer to delivering a fully connected rapid transit corridor between Botany and the city centre,” he said.
Auckland Minister Simon Watts said the population of Auckland’s Howick Ward was expected to pass 190,000 by 2048.
“Projects like the Eastern Busway are essential to giving people safe, reliable transport choices while freeing up local roads for freight and those who need to drive,” Watts said.
The majority of construction between Pakuranga and Botany is expected to be finished by the end of 2026, with the reserve extension due in mid-2027.
Auckland Transport began the Pakuranga to Botany section in 2023, delivering five kilometres of separated busway and walking and cycling paths.
The Panmure to Pakuranga section opened in 2021, and the Panmure station interchange opened in 2014.
The Pakuranga to Botany section is a $1.4 billion joint investment by the Government and Auckland Council.
The NZ Transport Agency and Auckland Council have confirmed a further $101 million for the Botany link route through Guys Reserve.
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown said the busway was one of the city’s most significant transport investments.
“The Eastern Busway will give people in east Auckland a genuine rapid transit option,” Brown said.
The busway is being built by an alliance of Fletcher Construction, ACCIONA, AECOM and Jacobs.
