Twelve months ago I asked the question, "When were NZTA going to put reflectors on the moveable median barrier of the Auckland Harbour Bridge", so that on a wet winter evening the strip can be seen, despite the glare of the headlights of the oncoming traffic. The response was that they are "getting on to it". Twelve months later they are "still getting on to it". With winter approaching we will have the slow crawl over the bridge as vehicles judge their distance from this grey, almost invisible barrier that they must avoid colliding with. Do you have anything by way of an update on when this barrier will be visible through appropriate reflectors being put on its sides? Maurice Ellett, Albany.
Yes, I do, and it's all good. You'll be pleased to know that the Auckland Motorway Alliance - the NZ Transport Agency group responsible for shifting the concrete lane barrier on the Auckland Harbour Bridge - says that after extensive trials, solar powered reflective lights are due to be installed on the barrier by the end of this month to help improve driver safety.
There has been a pedestrian crossing at the roundabout at the intersection of Reeves Rd, Pakuranga, and Gossamer Drive, Pakuranga, for a long time. Small traffic islands have now been put in on each side of the road and also in the middle and the white stripes have now been cleaned off the road. Can you tell me if this is still a dedicated pedestrian crossing or do the pedestrians have to wait and dash across when the road is clear? As this is a main arterial route it does not often happen that the road is clear and for children and adult pedestrians and for motorists it has become confusing. Do motorists stop and wave the pedestrians across or do we not encourage anyone to cross? There are several schools nearby and a lot of children use the crossing, particularly as there is also a well-patronised block of shops on one side of Gossamer Drive. Deborah White, Pakuranga.
Where there are small islands on each side of the road and in the middle, the crossing is a pedestrian refuge rather than a pedestrian crossing. While motorists are not obliged to stop for pedestrians here, the duty of care still applies. In other words, mid-street refuges do not confer a right-of-way on pedestrians, but allow them to cross the road, half at a time, as traffic permits.
A couple of readers have asked about the origins of their respective street names, and I have had no luck in finding out.
