The countdown to the second largest transport construction project in Auckland takes a major step forward next week with demolition due to start next week.
From Tuesday work will begin to remove 61 Auckland Council owned properties along the Panmure to Pakuranga stage of the AMETI Eastern Busway route.
The removal of properties on the northern side of Lagoon Drive and Pakuranga Road will finish by early 2019 to enable the main construction phase to start in March/April 2019.
The construction phase will take approximately two-years to widen parts of Lagoon Drive and Pakuranga Road to create a dedicated, congestion-free busway, that will provide a similar style of service to the Northern Busway.
It will also involve transforming Panmure Roundabout into a safer signalised intersection, creation of new cycle and walking paths, improvements to public spaces and reserves, a second bridge across Tamaki River and several intersection upgrades.
When the $1.4b busway is fully operational, customers will be able to travel between Botany and Britomart, by bus and train, in less than 40 minutes.
Fencing has been installed around the first properties to be removed at the corner of Pakuranga Road and Ti Rakau Drive and security and safety measures have been put in place to secure the other properties while the demolition work progresses.
Auckland Transport and Panuku have been working closely with social and housing organisations to ensure a smooth transition for tenants of these properties and neighbouring residents, says Auckland Transport (AT) spokesperson Matt Poland.
The removal of properties may generate some noise and dust and allowances have been made with the contractor to minimise this as much as possible, he says.
AT Project Director, Duncan Humphrey says this work will significantly increase the visibly of the project for those who live, work and travel through this area
“While this progress is exciting and will result in vastly improved travel choices, journey times and reliability for East Aucklanders, we appreciate that there will be inconveniences and disruption caused by the removal of properties and imminent construction. We do have plans to minimise these impacts.”
This work coincides with public consultation activity for the Pakuranga to Botany stage of the project, including the Reeves Road Flyover , new station in Pakuranga and the continuation of the Eastern Busway and integrated cycling networks between Pakuranga Town Centre and Botany Town Centre.
Want to know more?
People interested in finding out more about the property removal and construction for AMETI Eastern Busway can visit the information drop-in centre in Pakuranga Plaza between 2pm and 6pm on Tuesday or Thursday each week.
“Ensuring that we have accessible information about all aspects of the project is important. The drop-in centre is an opportunity for people to meet the team, find out more about the project and how it will benefit the wider East Auckland,” says Poland.
“It will also be a place to find out about the construction work between Panmure and Pakuranga.”
Countdown to construction:
- Early 2018: Initial properties required are removed and archaeological investigations commence around the culturally significant Panmure headland (Mokoia Pa)
- June 2018: Designation was approved for the next stage of AMETI Eastern Busway between Panmure and Pakuranga, which means the land required for the project has the approvals to proceed
- August 2018: Tenders are sought for construction of Stage 1 between Panmure and Pakuranga
- October 2018: Removal of remaining properties required for Stage 1 of AMETI Eastern Busway
- March / April 2019: Main construction phase commences
Find out more about AMETI Eastern Busway at www.at.govt.nz/ameti
