29 June 2001
Priority Bus Lane Opening On Auckland Harbour Bridge

The first stage of the North Shore Bus Rapid Transit project involving the bus priority lane, working in conjunction with the Advanced Traffic Management System on the motorway and the Auckland Harbour Bridge, will come into operation on Monday morning (2 July).

In addition to the Variable Message Signs located north of the Harbour Bridge, new Changeable Message Signs, the first ever installed in Auckland, will indicate when the priority bus lane – across lane 1 southbound, and under the Shelly Beach Bridge- is operating and when it is open to all traffic.

The first section of the BRT will help speed up bus passenger trips during morning peak traffic as the priority lane will be reserved for buses only on weekdays between 6.30am and 9.30am. Outside of these times the lane will be open to all other vehicles which will help increase the efficiency of traffic moving over the bridge says Transit Regional Manager, Wayne McDonald.

Mr McDonald says that work on this first section of the BRT project began immediately after Christmas with the strengthening and lengthening of the Shelly Beach overbridge. At the same time the eastern southbound lane of the Harbour Bridge (Lane 1) was extended to create a standard off ramp, as previously it was an exit only.

“We are looking forward to these changes operating to the benefit of motorists and bus passengers crossing the bridge in the mornings. We also look forward to the completion of the full BRT project which will hopefully help persuade many more commuters to lessen their reliance on cars by availing themselves to the benefit of an outstanding public transport system.”
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