Ask Phoebe: Markings on Harbour Bridge lanes queried

Photo / Kellie Blizard

Northbound driver annoyed at others encroaching on her space

Q: Going north on the Harbour Bridge, sometimes it is five lanes wide. When you are in the fifth lane, there is a strip of about 150m of road (when you are just about off the bridge) between lanes four and five where there is no road marking between the lanes. It is less of a problem when it is dry and sunny, but when it is wet and/or dark it makes the corner camber hard to judge.

Consequently the cars in the fifth lane almost always end up encroaching on the fourth lane. I am sick of people that can't drive, that end up nearly taking out my car (in the fourth lane.) Is there a reason this isn't/hasn't been painted with the road marking? Are there any plans to put these road marks in?
- Sarah Greenwood, Auckland.

A: The Transport Agency says that the reason the markings are not continuous is to avoid confusing drivers. These two lanes are changed throughout the day for north or south bound travel over the bridge. Because the concrete movable lane barrier is moved frequently, markings will not always match the way the lanes are configured and for reasons of safety this section of the motorway has been kept clear of markings.

Q: Is it possible to have a pre-Christmas update on the progress of "Alice" digging the motorway tunnel from Owairaka to Waterview? Has she been able to keep up to the predicted distance dug over the last couple of months?
- Brian McDonnell, Auckland Central.

A: It appears that Alice is making steady progress. By December 11, the 2200-tonne machine had chewed through 12 metres of soil. The first of the 2414 reinforced concrete rings that will line the two tunnels has been installed. The machine stops work every two metres to lift the concrete tunnel lining rings into position. Each completed ring is then grouted into place.

NZ Transport Agency highways manager for Auckland Tommy Parker says that Alice is boring at 40mm a minute, compared with her top speed of 80mm but will work at a faster pace when more lining rings are installed.

A conveyor system will remove about 800,000cu m of excavated material from the tunnels and take it to a building almost one kilometre from the tunnel portal.

From there it will be taken to a disused quarry in Wiri which is being rehabilitated for industrial development.

Alice operates 24 hours a day with crews of about 20 people and at least as many others working in support of the tunnelling operations.

Tunnelling will be put on hold for several weeks in the new year to prepare for the construction of a ventilation shaft building at the southern portal. The tunnels are due to open in early 2017.

(Source: Central Leader)

• This is the last Ask Phoebe column for the year. As always, I would like to thank readers and contributors for their continuing support, and wish you all a happy and safe festive season.