Ask Phoebe: Power lines put in underpasses for access

I note that on new motorways all the high-voltage power lines go underground across the motorway. Is this for safety or good looks? Boyd Weir, Auckland.

Most power lines installed with new motorways are local transmission lines, rather than high-voltage lines. The local lines cross the motorways on overpasses or underpasses, so they can be installed or repaired without closing the motorway.

High-voltage lines are generally suspended on an aerial network of pylons because of the heat they generate, which cannot be safely radiated away underground.

Older motorways, such as the Southern, have some high-voltage power pylons alongside them to carry the main transmission line for the national grid. They were installed before the motorway was built.

I have told the Transport Agency five times in the past 12 months about the appalling state of the Southeastern onramp. That's the one you go on as you drive from Pakuranga towards the motorway and thence the city. There's building rubble, bottles, paper - a real mess. Each time I complain I get a response saying it will deal with it. A year later, the rubbish is still there. Where to from here? Deon Smit, East Auckland.

Right here. The NZ Transport Agency tells me that it has done an initial cleanup now that the work of installing the ramp signals is finished.

It intends to do more in September, including planting and levelling the grass area between the motorway and the onramp, to make it easier to maintain. The weather will dictate the actual dates for the work, of course.

And if you have any issues regarding motorways, phone the Auckland Motorway Alliance on (09) 520-0200.

Twice a day I have to turn into Nicholls Lane from Stanley St to get to new offices in Carlaw Park. As there is no right turn into Nicholls Lane, I turn left into Alten Rd and then turn again so that I can go straight across to Nicholls Lane. But while I'm trying to be safe, loads of others are not and the intersection has become very dangerous. How did this situation arise, and is it to be changed? Emma Turley, Glenfield.

The Transport Agency is working with Auckland City Council on a solution. This is a good thing, because further development planned for this area will only exacerbate the problem.

The right-turn ban is there for two reasons. Northbound motorists are coming off the motorway at high speed, and it is considered dangerous to allow people to turn across this traffic from the through lane. Secondly, the width of Stanley St does not allow for a dedicated right-turn bay long enough to accommodate all those wishing to turn right.

Much work has been done on the Northern Motorway heading north, before Tristram Ave. There are quite long stretches where there are two sets of road markings and, in places, even three. It would help if these could be reduced to one set, as in bright sun or rain it is difficult to make out the markings. Michael Pearce, North Shore.

The good old Transport Agency is on the case, working with a contractor to remove the old markings and improve the road surface.