Auckland Manukau Eastern Transport Initiative (AMETI)

Auckland Transport in New Zealand has started construction on NZ$1.5bn ($1.2bn) Auckland Manukau Eastern Transport Initiative (AMETI) project which will ease traffic in Panmure, Mt Wellington, Pakuranga, Howick and Botany.

The first phase of the project will cost NZ$180m ($150m) and will be part of long term plan to address traffic congestion and poor transport links in Auckland’s south east.

A new road linking Glen Innes and Mt Wellington will be built by 2014 under the first phase, which will reduce journey times between the two destinations by 10 minutes.

The road will span about 1.5km and will reduce traffic through the Panmure roundabout and provide a better link for freight/business traffic.

Auckland Mayor Len Brown said AMETI is the next big transport initiative the New Zealand city launching to stop the gridlock.

"When completed it will halve the travel time for bus commuters between Botany and downtown. People in this part of town have been waiting for this for a long time," Len Brown said.

The future works in the AMETI projects include a busway from Panmure Station to Pakuranga and Botany, a second Panmure Bridge for the busway, replacement of Panmure roundabout with an intersection and a flyover on Reeves Rd to reduce congestion through Pakuranga.

AMETI project will also include construction of a bridge on Ellerslie Panmure Highway for a future busway and replacement of the existing bridge.

A 1.5km new road planned to be built linking Morrin Rd to Mt Wellington Highway and a 220m tunnel for the new road to be constructed near the rail line at Panmure Station.

Panmure Station will be upgraded to create an interchange that allows easy transfers between trains and buses.

Currently, Downer is carrying out work to replace the Mountain Rd bridge and realigning the road under the project.

After completion the AMETI Busway is expected to be used by 5.5 million passengers per year, compared to the current 2.2 million passengers using the Northern Busway.

Image: The first stage of the AMETI Panmure construction will be carried out on Mountain Road bridge, the railway and station, and streets surrounding the Panmure Roundabout.Photo:Auckland Transport