A $100 million contract was signed with Fulton Hogan for stage one of the AMETI Eastern Busway between Panmure and Pakuranga in East Auckland.
The project is separated into four stages: Panmure to Pakuranga (stage 1); Pakuranga Town Centre and Reeves Flyover (stage 2); Pakuranga to Botany Busway (stage 3); and a new interchange at Botany Town Centre (stage 4).
Over the holidays period work was underway to remove 61 properties along Pakuranga Road and near Lagoon Drive to enable civil works to start.
The Eastern Busway is the second biggest transport infrastructure project after the City Rail Link and the first section from Panmure to Pakuranga represents $275 million in spending with around $700 million of the total project cost funded from the Regional Fuel Tax.
The Eastern Busway will be made up of several major pieces of infrastructure, including completing the busway between Panmure and Botany, stations at Pakuranga and Botany, the Reeves Road flyover at Pakuranga Town Centre and better space for pedestrians and cyclist.
The design is aimed at reducing journey times and providing better access to other parts of Auckland city, and these factors were included in a report showing that AMETI Eastern Busway will generate around $680 million of additional GDP over a 40-year period.
Transport Minister Phil Twyford says the project is a; “Great example of central and local government working together through the 10-year Auckland Transport Alignment Project to unlock Auckland’s potential. This contract means we are another step closer to having a congestion-free network.”
Construction begins in April and will take about two years.
The contract with Fulton Hogan also signals a commitment to “social procurement” with specific clauses around environmental standard, minimum wage payments and Government recruitment practices, adds the minister.
Auckland Transport Chief Executive Shane Ellison says, “This is AT’s largest infrastructure contract and follows a rigorous process involving a number of extremely well-qualified companies.
“It has been an important part of our approach to apply socially responsible guidelines so we can ensure positive community results that cover areas beyond transport, including employment, waste management and youth training.”
Graeme Johnson, CEO NZ, Fulton Hogan says; “We’re proud to have been awarded the contract. We are a New Zealand-owned business, employing more than a thousand staff in the Auckland region. This is a major route upgrade for Auckland and our team bring the experience required to deliver this project successfully in a challenging and busy network environment, with a key focus on the health and safety of both the public and our team.”
More information: https://at.govt.nz/projects-roadworks/ameti-eastern-busway/
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