A long-awaited flyover designed to ease one of the country’s busiest intersections has opened to traffic — five months ahead of schedule and more than $4 million under budget.
Rā Hihi, a new overbridge directly linking Pakuranga Rd to Pakuranga Hwy in East Auckland, was officially opened on September 26 by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, Transport Minister Chris Bishop, Auckland Minister Simeon Brown and Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown.
Auckland Transport (AT) confirmed citybound traffic is now open, with two-way running due late October once intersection works are complete.
Named by mana whenua and meaning “sun’s rays”, Rā Hihi is a key piece of the multibillion-dollar Eastern Busway, which is connecting East Auckland to the rapid-transit network beneath the structure.
AT chief executive Dean Kimpton says the flyover — also known locally as the Reeves Rd flyover — will free up the ground-level intersection for buses and bring immediate relief for motorists.
“We are stoked to be able to open Rā Hihi ahead of schedule and below budget, bringing long awaited improvements to East Auckland drivers earlier than expected. I’d like to thank locals for their patience during construction.”
He says the structure enables the next stage of the busway to push on from Pakuranga to Botany.
“The flyover also allows the Eastern Busway to be extended from Pakuranga to Botany. With high frequency buses, the Eastern Busway will provide a reliable 40-minute bus and train trip between Botany, Pakuranga, Panmure and the city centre at Waitematā Station.
“The Eastern Busway is a key part of Auckland’s rapid transit network connecting East Auckland to the wider region.”
With the City Rail Link due to open next year, Kimpton says the benefits will multiply.
“When City Rail Link opens next year people will be able to use the already open section of the busway from Pakuranga to catch a quick bus and a direct train to Eden Park, New Lynn and Henderson. When the full busway to Botany opens our connected network will make it easy to get from East to West Auckland without driving,” he says.
Project by the numbers:
- Rā Hihi carries four lanes (two each way), is about 600 metres long and 10 metres high.
- Planned traffic opening: citybound from 1 October, both directions from 27 October (subject to completion of intersection works).
- Cost: $152m, more than $4m under budget.
- The Pakuranga-to-Botany section under construction is scheduled to open in 2027, followed by testing and commissioning.
- Forecast patronage: 18,000 passengers a day by 2028, rising to 24,000 by 2048.
- The wider project will deliver 7km of busway, five new stations and 12km of walking and cycling paths.
The Eastern Busway is jointly funded by the Government and Auckland Council and delivered by an alliance of Auckland Transport, Fletcher Construction, ACCIONA, AECOM and Jacobs, in partnership with mana whenua.
