Get moving: How northbound buses will gain access to new busway

Q. When the Northern Busway is fully operational, how will northbound buses gain access to it after they cross the Harbour Bridge? Will there be a new overpass? Brian McDonnell, Herne Bay.

A. Northbound buses will leave the motorway at Esmonde Rd and get to the busway via the Esmonde Rd overbridge. South of this interchange the busway will be one way southbound as far as Onewa Rd. From here buses will join in the main lanes over the bridge.

Q.  Why has the Tristram Ave on-ramp southbound been reduced to one lane? Craig Fennell, Albany.

A. This is tied in with the construction of the busway. It involves the building of a two-lane viaduct over the motorway interchange to carry the busway. The on-ramp has been reduced to one lane as a safety measure. It is going to take about 14 months to build the viaduct, but there will be more disruptions to traffic during this time.

Q. The traffic lights at Gossamer Rd and Ti Rakau Drive provide an unrealistic phasing for traffic on Ti Rakau heading towards Botany. Often there is only a 30-second phase, which causes a huge tailback to Waipuna Rd. Can this be reassessed? Craig Borland, Howick.

A. Manukau City Council have been trying to get the lights along Ti Rakau synchronised. However, if you think there may still be a problem, phone the council on (09) 262-8900.

Q. I walk from the ferry building to work on the other side of the Viaduct. I have read that pedestrian access from the Viaduct to the Western Reclamation is high on the redevelopment list. When will it be done? Jean Goodbrand, Waiheke Island.

A. A movable bridge has been suggested to provide access from the Viaduct to the Tank Farm on the reclamation. Costs vary from $10 million for your basic pedestrian job to $30 million for an iconic structure which will take pedestrians, cyclists and buses. But no decisions have been made on any of this yet, as no one knows where the money is to come from.