ACCIONA has marked a major milestone in Auckland’s Eastern Busway project with the dawn blessing and community walkover of Rā Hihi, the new flyover linking Pakuranga Road to Pakuranga Highway in East Auckland
ACCIONA has marked a major milestone in Auckland’s Eastern Busway project with the dawn blessing and community walkover of Rā Hihi, the new flyover linking Pakuranga Road to Pakuranga Highway in East Auckland. Held in late September, the events celebrated the infrastructure’s cultural significance and its role in transforming public transport access across the region.
Wayne Brown, Mayor of Auckland, is excited for the future of the city. “Rā Hihi is more than a bridge, it’s a symbol of progress and partnership,” Mr Brown said. “This flyover will help thousands of Aucklanders move more freely and safely through our city.”
The name Rā Hihi, meaning ‘sun’s rays’, was gifted by mana whenua to reflect the spirit of connection and renewal at the heart of the project. The flyover forms a key part of the Eastern Busway, which will deliver rapid transit links between East Auckland and the wider city, easing congestion and improving travel times.
The community walkover allowed residents to experience the flyover on foot before it opened to vehicles, highlighting the scale and impact of the new infrastructure. The event drew strong local participation and underscored the project’s commitment to community engagement.
Rā Hihi supports safer, more accessible journeys for thousands of commuters each day. It is designed to accommodate high-frequency bus services and active transport modes, contributing to Auckland’s broader goals for sustainable urban mobility. The flyover opened to city-bound traffic on October 1 and will be fully open on October 27.
The Eastern Busway project continues to progress, with future stages set to extend rapid transit connections further into East Auckland. Rā Hihi stands as a testament to collaborative infrastructure delivery and the city’s vision for a more connected future.