A long-awaited transport project in East Auckland officially opened last week, with leaders hailing it as a major step toward easing congestion and boosting productivity in the city.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon joined Transport Minister Chris Bishop, Auckland Minister Simeon Brown and Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown to cut the ribbon on the Reeves Road Flyover which links Pakuranga Road directly to Pakuranga Highway.
Transport Minister Chris Bishop said the project was about giving Aucklanders back valuable time.
“Sitting in traffic wastes time and money. A fast, reliable transport network in Auckland is essential for the city’s growth and for New Zealand’s prosperity,” he said.
The flyover will open initially to citybound traffic in the coming days, before becoming fully operational in both directions by late October once intersection work is completed.
The $1.3 billion Eastern Busway project – jointly funded by central government, NZ Transport Agency, and Auckland Council – underpins the flyover’s development. Auckland Transport has overseen delivery.
Bishop said the wider Eastern Busway would transform public transport for the city’s east. By 2027, rapid bus and train services will connect Botany, Pakuranga, and Panmure to the city centre in as little as 40 minutes. Passenger numbers are forecast to reach 18,000 per day by 2028 and 24,000 per day by 2048.
“This, alongside the City Rail Link opening in 2026, will reshape the way people get around Auckland,” Bishop said.
Auckland Minister Simeon Brown described the flyover as a victory for East Auckland communities.
“The people of East Auckland had to fight hard to keep the Reeves Road Flyover on the plans after multiple attempts to cancel this project because it was a road. Thankfully, commonsense won and this project will soon be open for motorists,” he said.
Brown noted that most East Aucklanders still commute by car, and the flyover would ease traffic congestion around Pakuranga Plaza while separating vehicles from the new busway beneath. About 500 workers are currently employed on the project.
Mayor Wayne Brown said the completion of the flyover, five months ahead of schedule and under budget, shows what can be achieved when projects are delivered more efficiently.
“The Eastern Busway delivers on one of my key priorities – getting Auckland moving. Alongside the flyover, it includes 7km of dedicated busway with five new stations, plus 12km of walking and cycling routes,” the Mayor said.
“The flyover improves speed and reliability for public transport, while also reducing congestion for motorists. That makes it easier for Aucklanders to get where they need to go quickly and safely.”
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