Construction on the first stage of AMETI Eastern Busway will ramp up over Easter with work starting to upgrade Panmure roundabout.
The AMETI project will result in high frequency, rapid transit bus travel for east Auckland along with cycling and walking connections, improvements for general traffic and urban design enhancements.
The completed busway, which is funded by NZ Government, Auckland Council and the Regional Fuel Tax, will reduce travel times by bus and train between Botany and Britomart by up to a third.
AMETI Eastern Busway Programme Director Duncan Humphrey says the Easter break is a great opportunity to get work done while people on holiday.
"Transforming the roundabout into a signalised intersection will increase traffic flow through the area once the project is completed and it will also improve safety for people walking and cycling through the area and make it easier to access Panmure Station and the town centre."
Several road closures will be in place near the roundabout over the Easter and ANZAC week period, however access between Queens Road and Ellerslie - Panmure Highway will remain open at all times.
Mr Humphrey says although the Easter work may see traffic in the area slow down, it is the best time to get this work completed.
"This is a significant amount of work we will be able to get done over a ten-day period and will be a major step in the life of this important project."
As part of the upgrade to Panmure roundabout, the famous Panmure sign will be removed. The sign will be stored at a secure facility while public consultation around its future takes place in the coming months.
The construction of stage one of the Eastern Busway between Panmure and Pakuranga is due to be completed in 2021 and will involve significant upgrades to local roads and major intersections, widening the northern side of Lagoon Drive and Pakuranga Road, along with the construction of a new dedicated busway bridge over Tamaki River.
