Auckland Transport brings forward South Eastern Busway
While the Auckland Development Committee was in session today Auckland Transport released an announcement on the Reeves Road flyover in Pakuranga. The announcement from Auckland Transport was:
Southeastern busway to open sooner
12/02/2015 02:03 p.m.
Major new public transport improvements will arrive earlier for people in Auckland’s south east.
Auckland Transport is aiming to open the full Southeastern Busway to Botany sooner than the 2028 completion date earlier proposed, and AT is investigating extending bus lanes to Highland Park.
Recent work on the Auckland Manukau Transport Initiative (AMETI) has identified that the busway can operate through Pakuranga town centre without the need to build Reeves Road flyover first.
This allows funding to be used to deliver more public transport improvements sooner by deferring the $170 million flyover until next decade. Targeted traffic improvements will also be made to relieve congestion at the intersections of Ti Rakau Drive/Pakuranga Road and Ti Rakau Drive/Pakuranga Highway.
Auckland Transport AMETI Programme Director Peter King says the change means better transport choices for people in the area sooner and supports the roll out of the new public transport network in 2016.
“The recent decision on the Basin Reserve flyover in Wellington shows the challenges of consenting a flyover that has impacts on an urban area and the potential for long delays. This decision allows us to extend the AMETI transport improvements made in Panmure to Pakuranga and Botany as soon as possible while continuing to build the case for the flyover.
“Large numbers of passengers are expected to be attracted by quicker, frequent and more reliable bus journeys on lanes separate to traffic. About 7.4 million trips a year are expected on the busway.
“There are time savings from opening the busway between Panmure and Pakuranga, however they are much greater when the full busway to Botany is open. For example catching the bus and train between Botany and Britomart will take 38 minutes, 17 minutes quicker.
“The change to timing reflects Auckland Transport’s prioritisation of rapid, high frequency public transport and will not require extra funding.”
Work to develop the flyover showed its congestion benefits would be limited until further significant investment along the South Eastern Highway. It also indicated a likely increase in costs with the need to create a quality urban environment beneath it.
Auckland Transport will update the community in early March on the new delivery plan for AMETI and a potential change to the busway route through Pakuranga town centre. Following further feasibility work there will be consultation on any change to the busway route.
Consultation will be carried out on the latest design for the next construction stage between Panmure and Pakuranga, before a Notice of Requirement is lodged in April.
The Panmure to Pakuranga projects include:
Replacing Panmure roundabout with an intersection with traffic lights and more direct pedestrian crossings.
Panmure to Pakuranga busway on lanes separate to traffic congestion.
Panmure to Pakuranga shared cycle/foot path separate to traffic.
Second Panmure Bridge for busway and shared path.
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Graphic Impression of South Eastern Bus Way Source: Auckland Transport
This is indeed excellent news with the bus way and extended buslanes negating the need for an eyesore of a bypass through a town centre.
To follow the route of the South Eastern Busway follow the red line of the Botany Line Sky Train proposal I drew up a while ago as the Busway follows the same route.
The Botany Line Sky Train Route
The missing pieces of course is the blue and yellow lines connecting East Auckland to Manukau City Centre, and the Airport. Of course for now bus lanes and priority measures will suffice until demand warrants a Light Rail Transit System (Sky Train) linking the Airport up with Manukau, Botany, Pakuranga and through to Panmure Interchange.
But credit due where credit is due and Auckland Transport has its credit due on the South Eastern Busway being sped up.
Talking Southern Auckland 