Recent changes at the Northwestern Motorway Western Springs westbound off-ramp, where one turns left into St Lukes Rd, has reduced the merge lane to little more than a conventional left turn. The net effect is that the queue of traffic to use the off-ramp during the evening peak frequently extends over 2km, reaching back to the Newton Rd on-ramp. Will the long merge lane be reinstated at the end of the construction? When will that happen? Bill Hansen, Mt Albert.
A timely question. The reduction in the westbound off-ramp merge lane on to St Lukes Rd is temporary and will be reinstated, similar to how it was, from Tuesday, April 7. The merge lane has been temporarily removed to enable work to be completed on St Lukes Rd leading up to the western side of the St Lukes overbridge and the westbound on-ramp. Unfortunately, because of the available road space, it has not been possible to maintain the length of the existing merge lane and complete the work at the same time. There are signs in the area to alert drivers of the temporary change in the road layout.
While doing family research on the electoral rolls I have found my Kenny family listed from 1905 to 1919 at 58 Grey St, and from 1928 until 1935 at 58 Greys Ave. Both are shown as Central Auckland. Are these the same or did this street have a name change about the 1920s, or was there another street that now doesn't show up on Google Earth?
Wally Bilton, Hamilton
The best I can do is to advise that Greys Ave in central Auckland was known as Grey St until October 3, 1927. It became part of Aotea Square in 1976, and is almost certainly named after Sir George Grey.
