Get moving: Numbers to keep exits simple

Q: All the exits on the Southern Motorway are clearly labelled with names, which is helpful. However, a couple of the exits also have numbers. Why is this? Graham Arcus, Onehunga.

A: This is a hangover from an idea some years ago, which was intended to make things easier for truck drivers, for example, and other regular motorway users. But the idea is to be resurrected, and an announcement from Transit is due in a few weeks.

It goes like this: motorway exits will be numbered in order of distance from a set point, measured in kilometres. So you might have Exit 21, which would be 21 kilometres from the set point. The next exit might 2km up the motorway, 23km from the starting point, and will be called Exit 23. And so on. Which begs the question - can we look forward to Exit 31.4, for example? The exits will still be named, by the way.

The idea behind the numbering is that Transit will be able to put more useful information on their big signboards.

Q: When turning right from Marua Rd into Celtic Cres in Ellerslie, a motorist first comes across a road sign facing the other way, for oncoming cars. A second sign behind this one obscures oncoming traffic and it is only a matter of time until there is an accident. Can anything be done about this? D Gordon, Ellerslie.

A: The "keep left" signs and belisha beacons are needed there to highlight the pedestrian crossing nearby. Marua Rd is wide and has good visibility of approaching traffic and side road traffic although the signs are in the way a bit.

Things get worse in the late afternoon with sun strike, but even the city council can't do anything about that.

Q: Why are there no westbound bus lanes on the Northwestern Motorway? Are any planned? G. Wood, Massey.

A: In Transit's 10-year plan, issued last year, there is a westbound bus lane from Waterview to Patiki Rd. It should be in place by the end of next year. Depending on regional funding, further buslanes may be forthcoming.