AT: “Expect longer travel times at peak hours”

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The always busy section of Tī Rākau Drive from The Hub at Botany to Burswood Drive (east) where construction works and lane changes come into play from next Monday, March 24. Times photos PJ Taylor

It’ll be the last thing east Auckland commuters want to hear, but Auckland Transport (AT) is signalling further delays are expected during road peak drive-times in the coming weeks.

The area it’s highlighting is on an already busy arterial road route at Botany, which is usually heavily congested and gridlocked at peak times in both directions.

“From Monday, March 24, there will be lane changes on Tī Rākau Drive between Burswood Drive (east) and Te Koha Road near The Hub in Botany,” says AT.

“That’s to make way for construction of the Eastern Busway.

“Two lanes will stay open in each direction, and they’ll be permanent once the busway is complete.

“Expect longer travel times at peak hours for the first couple of weeks while drivers adjust to the changes.”

AT predicts the morning road-user travel time from Botany to the South-Eastern Highway will be “about seven minutes longer”.

Other AT forecasts for future travel times from next week are “about six minutes longer” in the afternoons from the South-Eastern Highway to Botany; and “about 13 minutes longer” in the mornings going from Howick to the South-Eastern Highway.

“Bus services, bus stops, and business access will be available as usual, and pedestrians can use the southern footpath while the northern one is closed temporarily,” says AT.

Howick Local Board chair and Botany subdivision member, Damian Light, says: “This is the tightest part of Tī Rākau Drive and getting this done is critical for the delivery of the Eastern Busway project.

“While the Eastern Busway and Auckland Transport are doing everything they can to mitigate the impact, these changes will create delays, especially during the first few weeks as everyone gets used to the new layouts.

“We’d encourage everyone who travels along this busy road to consider alternative options where possible – take an alternative route, delay your travel, or utilise public transport to avoid the worst of it,” says Light.

“Due for completion in 2027, the busway will provide congestion-free access from Botany all the way into the city, connecting with the train network at Panmure.

“Together with 12km of walking and cycling paths, it will provide east Auckland more transport choice.”

Howick Local Board chair Damian Light says: “We’d encourage everyone who travels along this busy road to consider alternative options where possible – take an alternative route, delay your travel, or utilise public transport to avoid the worst of it.”

Auckland councillor for Howick and AT director, Maurice Williamson, says: “We appreciate that construction of the Eastern Busway is creating changes for the community and is unquestionably disruptive in the short-term.

“Tī Rākau Drive is a regionally significant arterial route providing a vital link and connection to east Auckland.

“When the busway is completed, it will improve how the network runs; more efficient use of roads – including Tī Rākau Drive – and more travel options and forms of transport for people to choose from.

“An effective rapid transit busway will take huge pressure off the road corridors and substantially reduce congestion,” Williamson says.

“However, it’s simply not possible to build big chunks of infrastructure without causing disruption.

“All parties to the contract have been given strict instructions to try to keep the impact on peak hour traffic to a minimum.

“So, the project team building the busway plans the work to have the least impact on road users, often working at nights and weekends, and completing daytime construction as quickly and safety as possible,” says Williamson.

“Drivers adapt to layout changes quickly and within a couple of weeks delays reduce.”