KEY POINTS:
It's been a long time coming, but the end is in sight.
Electricity lines company Vector said its work in Quay St, to install high-voltage cables to link two major substations in the CBD, should be finished by the end of next week.
The congestion and commuter rage during trenchwork along the arterial route into the city have been a hot topic of conversation, especially for residents of Auckland's eastern suburbs.
Motorists fumed as they sat in the summer heat, while buses drove unimpeded along segregated lanes.
The idea of opening the bus lanes to general traffic was raised with the Auckland Regional Transport Authority by the city council.
But the council's acting group manager for transport strategy, Brian Tomlinson, said the response from bus companies was less than amenable.
Bus operators felt that a shared arrangement would result in buses running behind time.
Quay St is a feeder into the Britomart hub, and any delays would cause congestion at the major city terminal. The idea was dropped.
Vector has liaised with the council almost daily to try to reduce the effect of the work on commuter traffic, and efforts have been made to try and improve the situation.
Work began in November, but stalled during a council-led moratorium before Christmas. Further hold-ups were caused by events such as the Santa Parade at the end of November, and the Auckland Marathon.
But it's not all good news. Vector is coming back, to reseal parts of Lower Albert St where it has been working, although this should take only three or four days.
