Pakūranga Road and Rā Hihi intersection update

Photo supplied by the Eastern Busway project team

Cost indications received via LGOMIA

Eastern Busway have completed the works to add an additional lane for drivers heading towards Howick through the Pakūranga Road and Rā Hihi intersection. This opened early morning on Friday 10 July.

During nights from 19 to 24 July, final road surfacing and line marking at the intersection will be undertaken with lane closures in both directions. This is to allow for the final surfacing to be completed and removal of historic ghost markings within this location.

You can find out more about the intersection challenges and redesign at the Eastern Busway website: https://easternbusway.nz/page/78/pakranga-road-and-r-hihi-intersection

There was another Option 4a ('straight through lanes') considered, which was estimated to cost $11M. Some locals asked where this cost came from, so I requested more details from Eastern Busway. This request was refused and I was told to progress it through the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act (LGOIMA) process which I did.

I've attached the response I've received last week:

"The estimated cost for the design with straight lanes (option 4a) is a high-level indicative estimate only. At the time it was prepared, a technical solution and detailed design had not been completed, meaning the full scope of utility relocations and any associated land requirements was not yet known. Consequently, the Eastern Busway Alliance was unable to undertake a detailed quantity cost analysis, and the estimate was developed on a prudent, worst-case basis. The final scope and cost would be determined through detailed design and further technical investigations."

"In addition to the risk premium due to the conceptual level solution, the straight-through lane option (option 4a), estimated at approximately $11 million, would fundamentally require substantially more extensive design, approvals and construction works. This includes specialist engineering investigations, utility provider approvals, potential private property impacts, significant utility relocations, stormwater works and complex traffic management."

"This package of work would also result in an extended construction programme during the Christmas/New Year period when traffic volumes are lowest as it would require an extended period where only one lane in each direction on Pakuranga Road would be available. Undertaking the works during this period would minimise disruption to the wider transport network but as a result, would attract a significant cost premium due to public holiday labour and supplier costs. Approval from Auckland Council would be needed before further work on this option is undertaken."