Construction work will now go ahead on the second stage of Auckland’s busway project – image courtesy of © Wollertz, Dreamstime.com
The budget has now been set for the second stage of Auckland’s Eastern Busway project in New Zealand. The project is expected to cost nearly US$608 million (NZ$867 million).
Construction will commence in 2022 and is due for completion in 2026. Work is almost complete on the first stage of the project, which will open for traffic in December 2021. In all, the busway is costing $981.3 million (NZ$1.4 billion) to construct. The work is significant as public transport facilities in New Zealand require further development.
The busway will connect Pakuranga and Panmure. The construction project includes building a new bridge spanning the Tamaki River. Once the work is complete it will help improve public transport facilities in Auckland, New Zealand's largest city, and go some way to addressing traffic congestion at peak periods as the busway will carry an estimated 30,000 passengers/day.
Meanwhile, the necessary upgrade works for the SH10 Kaeo Bridge Improvement are now underway. Costing over $28 million (NZ$40 million), the earthmoving portion of the project is being carried out first. The new bridge will measure 110m, which is longer than the existing structure. The project is being planned by the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA).
Included in the work will be a realignment of the existing road, making curves less sharp to boost safety, as well as building a new roundabout. Funding for the work has been provided by the National Land Transport Fund, with completion expected in 2024.
