Construction
Major construction began in 2005 when Fletcher Construction started work on improvements to the Esmonde Interchange and the first stage of the busway, together with associated work for North Shore City and Transpower.
Some initial packages of work had been previously carried out from 2002 to create interim bus priority measures and to do preparatory works for the main construction contract.
In parallel to the commencement of the Esmonde and busway work, four construction contracts were let to build the Albany and Constellation Park and Ride stations.These two stations were opened in November 2005.
The contractors were:
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Albany Station
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Works Infrastructure
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Constellation Station
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HEB
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Associated motorway works
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A C Blackmore
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Station security & communications
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Armitage Systems
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In October 2005, the Fletcher Construction contract was extended to include the balance of the Stage 1 busway works and civil engineering works for the remaining three stations. A further construction contract was let in December 2006 for the three station buildings.
The final stage of the project, busway Stage 2, involves improvements to the Onewa Road Interchange and the extension of the busway to the Auckland Harbour Bridge.
The busway and three remaining stations opened in February 2008, Esmonde Interchange opened in May 2007 and Stage 2 of the busway will be finished by mid 2009.
Transit has also widened the shoulder alongside the motorway for bus use northbound between Onewa Road Interchange and Esmonde Interchange.
The construction of the Busway is challenging as that the contractor is working in a narrow corridor, close to the motorway and with limited access. The contractor has also had to plan and implement extensive temporary traffic management, particularly at Northcote Road Interchange.
