Aucklanders using one of New Zealand’s busiest intersections can now see the new flyover being built above them which will help nearly halve congestion, making car and bus trips quicker and easier as part of Auckland Transport’s (AT) Eastern Busway project.

Work first began in March 2024 on the flyover (named Rā Hihi – meaning sun’s rays) which is under construction near the Pakūranga town centre. It now spans Tī Rākau Drive at the busy South Eastern Highway intersection, after a three-night operation to install eight large concrete beams using one of the country’s largest mobile cranes.

Once fully complete, Rā Hihi will directly connect Pakūranga Road with the South Eastern Highway, making the extension of the Eastern Busway from Pakūranga towards Botany, and a shared path, possible. Together this is expected to reduce traffic congestion at Pakūranga town centre by up to 40% during peak times.

“Rā Hihi comes closer to completion with every week that goes by and it’s something the community is really looking forward to ahead of the Eastern Busway opening,” says Howick Local Board Chair Damian Light.

“Rā Hihi will make getting around much easier for everyone, not just for those who will drive over it, but for the thousands of us that’ll go under it every day on a bus, bike, or on foot.”

Howick Ward Councillor and AT Director, Maurice Williamson says it is a project he has long advocated for. 

“The community has been telling AT to do something about the congestion in this part of Auckland, so it’s great AT has listened and is making good progress on this vital new connection which will do wonders for keeping the roads moving and the buses running on time,” he says.

The Tī Rākau Drive – South Eastern Highway intersection sees more than 60,000 vehicles and 280 buses travelling through it each weekday, making it one of the busiest in the country, says AT’s Group Manager Strategic Development Programmes and Property, Jane Small.

“It has been a frustrating chokepoint for East Aucklanders. Rā Hihi will bring benefits to drivers as well as public transport users, whose bus trips will be faster and more reliable as a result of reduced congestion,” Ms Small says. 

The next section is being built and will continue from Pakūranga towards Botany, adding an additional 5km of separated busway and 12km of walking and cycling routes when it is fully completed. It will unlock more ways to travel locally and provide faster, more direct connections to the rest of the city.