For decades, east Auckland has been neglected when it comes to investment in transport infrastructure with the Eastern Busway and Reeves Road Flyover project being the first major investment in our transport network since the Waipuna Bridge was constructed in 1971.
This year marks a significant milestone in the construction of the Eastern Busway with the first stage between Pakuranga and Panmure due to open around August this year. This will include the busway from Pakuranga to Panmure and the new dedicated busway bridge over the Tamaki River.
The next two stages of the Eastern Busway project consist of the Pakuranga to Botany stage of the busway and the vital Reeves Road Flyover, which will link Pakuranga Road directly to the Waipuna Bridge past the Pakuranga Town Centre, easing congestion in and around Pakuranga.
Auckland Transport in 2019 made the decision to package these two stages together with the intention of constructing them at the same time, rather than one after the other as originally proposed.
Whilst this decision has meant there have been delays to the timeline for the construction of the next two stages of this project, assurances have been given that the project will still be completed on time in 2025.
Details of these proposed designs are due to be released later this year with a formal round of consultation allowing for the community to have their say prior to a consent application being lodged.
I will be working closely together with Botany MP Christopher Luxon to ensure that this project meets the transport needs of east Auckland and the projected growth we are expecting to see in east Auckland which will be home to an estimated 160,000 people by 2030.
This project must have the capacity to meet the needs of population growth, give us the public transport choice we need, whilst also easing congestion on the road, particularly surrounding the Pakuranga Town Centre.
East Auckland’s transport network has been in desperate need of investment for a long time so it’s exciting that progress is being made on the Eastern Busway and Reeves Road Flyover.
That said, as a community it will be vital we all take an interest in the public consultation opportunity we will have so that we get the transport network we deserve.
Simeon Brown
MP for Pakuranga
