​Major traffic changes will be in place near Panmure roundabout from 28 October so work can begin on replacing the Ellerslie-Panmure Highway bridge.

Eastbound traffic will be reduced to one lane on the approach to the roundabout and northbound traffic for Glen Innes will be diverted to a route around it. There will be no changes for westbound traffic with two lanes remaining open on Ellerslie-Panmure Highway.

Some delays are likely for about a fortnight until drivers get used to the changes.

The traffic diversion will allow preparations for demolishing the Ellerslie-Panmure Highway bridge on the approach to the roundabout later this year. At the end of November traffic will be shifted onto a bridge next to the existing one that is in the final stages of construction.

A new higher and longer Ellerslie-Panmure Highway bridge will then be built during the first eight to nine months of 2013.

It is one of three new bridges, a new north-south road and a new Panmure Station building that Auckland Transport and Fletcher Construction are building as part of the Auckland Manukau Eastern Transport Initiative (AMETI).

Auckland Transport Major Projects Manager Rick Walden says drivers should expect delays at peak times, particularly in the evening, as people get used to the changes.

“We encourage people to check the signs when they’re travelling through the area and get into the correct lane early.”

Drivers heading north to Jellicoe Rd and Glen Innes should use the left lane and follow the diversion via Forge Way and Mountain Rd bridge.

Those driving east to Panmure town centre or Pakuranga should use the right lane on Ellerslie-Panmure Highway and continue through the roundabout. Traffic will be reduced to one lane between Forge Way and Panmure roundabout.

Buses and trucks for all destinations east and north should also use the right lane on Ellerslie-Panmure Highway.

Traffic heading south or west from Glen Innes/Jellicoe Rd, Panmure, Pakuranga and Howick will continue to come through the roundabout and onto Ellerslie-Panmure Highway.

Also in the area, Transpower are currently working on Waipuna Rd and Pakuranga Highway as part of their North Auckland and Northland upgrade. Delays are being experienced on Waipuna Road, Ireland Road, Carbine Road and Ti Rakau Drive as a result of this work. Transpower are advising road users to take extra care and find alternative routes where possible.