In early 2018, preliminary demolition and removal of some properties in
Panmure took place, and in October 2018, removal of 61 remaining properties began.
Auckland Council's transport and property management
CCO's,
Auckland Transport and
Panuku respectively, had worked to re-house affected owners and tenants. The removal of the 61 properties from Lagoon Drive and Pakuranga Road was completed in early 2019, allowing construction of the lanes of the Panmure-Pakuranga section to start. In March 2020 work on the Project was suspended as a result of the
COVID-19 pandemic. Auckland Council applied to Infrastructure Industry Reference Group for project funding during lockdown. A new bridge, dedicated to the busway lanes, was built across the
Tāmaki Estuary alongside the existing
Panmure Bridge. On completion, the busway is expected to account for 35 percent of all journeys across Panmure Bridge, about 22,000 bus passengers per day. In April 2023, construction began on the final phase of the project, which will see the dedicated busway extended from Pakuranga to a new station at Botany, as well as the provision of separated new walking and cycling facilities. A new flyover, named Rā Hihi, is being constructed over Tī Rākau Drive, connecting the South Eastern Highway to Pakuranga Road. The bridge is said to ease congestion in the area, especially during peak hours. Rā Hihi is due to open uni-directionally in the
citybound direction on 1 October 2025 and bi-directionally on 27 October. In February 2026,
Minister of Transport,
Chris Bishop, confirmed $101 million worth of funding for the final stretch of the busway route, which will pass through Guys Reserve, before terminating at Botany. == Busway stations ==