Tī Rākau Drive lanes reduce to one each way

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The section of Tī Rākau Drive between Pakuranga Road (Highway) and Gossamer Drive will be down to one lane travelling in each direction for motorists from today Thursday until Easter Saturday because of works associated with the Eastern Busway project. Photos supplied Eastern Busway Alliance Nigel King

Further delays are predicted, and journey planning is highly recommended as Tī Rākau Drive at Pakūranga drops down to one open traffic lane travelling each way for three days.

The Eastern Busway Alliance and Auckland Transport (AT), who are building and managing the multimillion-dollar Eastern Busway project, are also signalling a “temporary speed limit that will be in place until the busway is completed”.

And they’re asking road corridor users, including pedestrians and cyclists, for “patience” as progress continues the biggest transport project in east Auckland for decades.

They say from today, April 17, until Saturday, April 19, “Ti Rākau Drive will have one lane open in each direction and access will be available to side streets”.

“This has been timed with Easter when there will be less people needing to travel to school and work,” says AT.

The view from on top of the under-construction Rā Hihi (Reeves Road Flyover) that has progressed from the Pakuranga shopping centre side of Tī Rākau Drive to the South-Eastern Highway.

Then, from Easter Sunday, April 20, they say new lanes are opening on Tī Rākau Drive heading towards Pakūranga for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.

It’s also the same long-awaited day that construction will commence for the busway along the middle of the main arterial road.

“There will be two traffic lanes open in each direction. Work may continue until Tuesday, April 22, if adjustments are required or the weather is wet,” say Eastern Busway Alliance and AT.

“They will run from Gossamer Drive to Pakūranga Highway as part of the Eastern Busway project.

“There will be changes to the way that motorists move in and out of side streets, driveways and businesses.

An Eastern Busway construction site where foundation works are being done near the Tī Rākau Drive bridge that links Pakūranga with Burswood.

“Intersections with traffic lights and pedestrian crossings will enable vehicle U-turns and shared path users to cross Tī Rākau Drive.

“The changes may lead to some delays while people get used to the new road layout and the temporary speed limit that will be in place until the busway is completed.

“Please drive, walk and ride with patience so that everyone reaches their destination safely,” say Eastern Busway Alliance and AT.

“Thank you for bearing with us while we create short-term disruption to bring you long-term benefits.”

Some of the hardworking construction staff building the Eastern Busway transport project.

Meanwhile, the Eastern Busway Alliance has been recognised at the New Zealand Planning Institute Awards for best practice in statutory planning.

“The award reflects the team’s commitment to delivering one of Auckland’s transformative transport projects, the Eastern Busway that’s fast, smart, and with the community at its heart,” says Eastern Busway Alliance.