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Panmure to Pakuranga Panmure to Pakuranga

The Eastern Busway from Panmure to Pakuranga includes the first section of the busway, along the north side of Lagoon Drive and Pakuranga Road, and upgrading the Panmure roundabout.

The Eastern Busway begins passenger service on Sunday 19 December.

Construction started in early 2019 and will be finished in 2021. There will be some disruption to major routes during construction (Lagoon Drive and Pakuranga Road initially). Find out how you can avoid this disruption.

Features

  • Building a section of a dedicated urban busway, between Panmure Station and Pakuranga, separate from the general traffic.
  • Replacing Panmure roundabout with a signalised intersection.
  • Building a new modern busway bridge across the Tamaki River next to the existing road bridge with a wide shared path for cyclists and pedestrians.
  • Improving pedestrian and cycling facilities, including new cycle lanes and footpaths separate from traffic.

Benefits

  • Reliable, comfortable and more frequent bus services.
  • Buses every 5 to 10 minutes between Panmure and Pakuranga.
  • Allows the busway to operate safely with a signalised intersection to keep traffic moving.
  • A pedestrian-friendly experience getting around Panmure.
  • Priority for vehicles using Lagoon Drive and Ellerslie-Panmure Highway, following the opening of Te Horeta Road.
  • Cycle lanes and footpaths will make it possible to walk or cycle off-road between Panmure, Pakuranga, and Pigeon Mountain by connecting to the Pakuranga Rotary Walkway.
  • Better connections between the town centre and Panmure Station.
  • Safer access to Pakuranga Road for local residents.

Eastern Busway construction update March 2021

Launch of the Eastern busway bridge across Tamaki river

AMETI contract signing

Minister of Transport Hon. Phil Twyford and Auckland Mayor Phil Goff joined Auckland Transport officials to sign the contract for the next $100million construction stage of the Eastern Busway, which will run between Panmure and Pakuranga. The Eastern Busway consists of several major pieces of infrastructure, including completing the urban busway between Panmure and Botany; associated key stations at Pakuranga and Botany; the Reeves Road flyover at Pakuranga town centre; and new/improved pedestrian and cycle facilities.

Property removal underway

Engagment with Mana Whenua around the historic Mokoia Pa site in Panmure

Find out how Auckland Transport is working with Mana Whenua to share historical and iwi stories through urban design and placemaking.

New Panmure intersection

The 1.5km Te Horeta Road, opened in 2014, has reduced traffic through the Panmure roundabout via Jellicoe Road and Ellerslie-Panmure Highway.

This allows for the roundabout to be replaced with a new signalised intersection with traffic and bus priority lanes to be created.

Proposed signalised Panmure Intersection

Features and benefits

  • Designed for major traffic flows.
  • No right turn from Jellicoe Road.
  • No direct access from Potaka Lane.
  • Enable more efficient flow of buses through the busy intersection.
  • Creating a vibrant hub at Panmure.
  • Safe road crossings for cyclists and pedestrians.
  • Prioritises east-west movement of vehicles along Lagoon Drive and Ellerslie-Panmure Highway.

Lagoon Drive

The busway will be built on the north side of Lagoon Drive.

The busway and shared cycle and footpath (separated from busway and traffic) will be created on Lagoon Drive by widening on the northern cliffside, avoiding impacts on the basin.

Features and benefits

  • The busway is separated from general traffic improving bus journey times and reliability.
  • Wide shared cycle and footpath separated from the busway and general traffic.
  • Better signalisation.
  • General traffic lanes were reduced to one lane in each direction to accommodate the new busway.
  • Traffic movements on Lagoon Drive are better managed by new signals.
  • The southern side of Lagoon Drive is designed to avoid significant geological and archaeological features.
  • New access to the rear of some Queens Road shops via Korma Lane.
  • A new access way from Bridge Street, at the end of the cul-de-sac, for eight properties that currently have property access from Church Crescent.

Lagoon Drive Busway Artist Impression

Image: Artist's impression of the proposed busway for Lagoon Drive.

New dedicated busway bridge

A new busway bridge is proposed on the northern side of the current Panmure bridge to provide for the busway as well as a combined pedestrian and cycle path.

Features:

  • Two dedicated busway lanes.
  • A shared cycle and pedestrian path separate from the general traffic.
  • Viewing platforms where people can pause safely outside of the flow of pedestrians and cyclists.
  • Remnants of the historic swing bridge to be preserved.

The new busway bridge will be constructed to the north of the existing Panmure bridge. This will allow for the existing road bridge to be replaced with a four-lane bridge in the future.

The bridge’s construction has been designed to minimise impacts on the culturally significant Mokoia Pa headland (in the vicinity of Bridge Street in Panmure).

The existing bridge will remain and be replaced in about 20 years' time.

Tamaki River Bridge

Image: Artist's impression of the proposed busway bridge.

Pakuranga Road

The new busway will be on the northern side of Pakuranga Road. This means current road access from streets north of Pakuranga Road will need to change to ensure everyone can access these roads safely.

There are also some implications for the southern side of Pakuranga Road. Because there will be no access to properties across the busway, there will be access changes to Pakuranga Road. This will also improve traffic safety.

  • Tamaki Bay Drive will be converted into a cul de sac at the Pakuranga Road end with access via Williams Avenue (at a signalised intersection).
  • Williams Avenue will be widened to allow parking on both sides and 2 lanes of traffic.
  • New signals at Kerswill Place.
  • Vehicle access at the east end of the Panmure bridge will change.
  • Dillimore Avenue and Latham Avenue will be connected. Latham Avenue will be converted into a cul de sac at the Pakuranga Road end. Access to Pakuranga Road will be via Millen Avenue at a signalised intersection.

Artist-impression-of-Pakuranga-Road-busway

Image: Artist's impression of the proposed busway on Pakuranga Road.

Adding mahi toi to the streetscape

The project team is working with mana whenua representatives to agree on how local cultural stories will be integrated into the design and landscaping for the Panmure to Pakuranga stage of the busway.

There will be opportunities along the corridor to incorporate cultural and historical references into the urban design and landscape, and AT is currently engaging local kiwi artists to work in collaboration with its urban design team to bring the cultural and historical aspects to life.

It is anticipated that these artists will work with mana whenua, AT, and the local community to integrate mahi toi (arts and craft) into the life of the project.

Plans and project documents

In accordance with designation condition 18, Auckland Transport (AT) is required to ensure copies of the certified management plans for Stage 1 construction are available for public viewing on the AT website.

Appendices

For more information

Contact Auckland Transport