Construction of New Zealand’s first busway along the middle of a major urban road is moving ahead – which will mean faster and reliable buses for East Auckland.

During the Easter weekend Auckland Transport’s Eastern Busway project carried out a traffic switch on Tī Rākau Drive. It has created space to build the busway from Pakūranga along the middle of Tī Rākau Drive to Tī Rākau Bridge near Burswood.

Drivers and people walking, cycling and scootering are already benefiting from the Eastern Busway construction, with new traffic lanes and a shared path now open between Gossamer Drive and Pakūranga Highway.

Auckland Transport Eastern Busway Programme Director, Tom Willetts, says this part of the busway is the first of its kind in New Zealand.

“This is the first time we’ll have a fully separated busway running along the middle of an urban road, with traffic lanes on either side. When this extension of the Eastern Busway opens in 2027, it’ll enable bus services to run more often and reliably between Pakuranga and Botany, without getting stuck in traffic,” Mr Willetts says.

“A lot of work has gone into preparing for this stage of construction, so we can build the busway along the middle of Tī Rākau Drive without affecting the flow of traffic in this busy part of Auckland.

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“This is an exciting next step for the Eastern Busway project, which has already made millions of bus trips faster between Pakūranga and Panmure train station since that section of the busway opened in December 2021. We’re looking forward to bringing those benefits to more of East Auckland as we extend the busway towards Botany.”

The Eastern Busway is a key part of Auckland’s developing rapid transit system. City Rail Link will open in 2026, making it possible to get from Pakūranga to west Auckland without getting stuck in traffic.

“From 2027, when the Eastern Busway opens the East Auckland area between Panmure, Pakūranga and towards Botany will be even better connected. Tī Rākau Drive is now back to having two vehicle lanes in each direction, and pedestrians and cyclists have safer, more convenient travel options,” Mr Willetts says.

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