Get Moving: Double-laning along Takanini Straight thwarted by 'pinch-points', cycleway

Why is the section of Great South Rd, the 'Takanini Straight', not two lanes in both directions all the way? The road is easily wide enough for four lanes, with a wide median strip. It becomes two lanes briefly, for each set of lights, and then reverts to an uncertain ridiculously wide road. At the moment each side has a parking bay marked by a solid white line, and people tend to use this as just another lane and pass on the inside. At least if it was double-laned people could still park, but drivers would have to indicate to change lanes.
Daniel Kelly, South Auckland.

Manukau City Council says the road is not quite wide enough for four lanes, and there are some 'pinch points' which mean the double-laning would not be continuous. The council also has plans to put in cycleways, so there is definitely not room along here for a median for turning traffic, extra lanes and cycle lanes.

Get Moving is the word all right, but only if the traffic lights are operating efficiently. The lights at Highbrook and Ra Ora Drives, or the next ones towards the motorway, just seem to please themselves. They go red at will, when there is no traffic coming, and this happens every 20 to 30 seconds. And at night, the lights at Harris Rd and Allen Rd are not timed for greater traffic flows on Allen Rd coming or going from Highbrook and the motorway. Traffic is forced to sit and wait when there is no traffic on Harris Rd. Are these lights being looked at?
Jack Ma, South Auckland.

There has been a cable fault here, but it should be repaired very soon. The regional Traffic Management Unit is having a close look at timings at this particular intersection, and will make any changes they discover to be necessary.

Some unusual solid white line markings have appeared on Lake Rd between the grammar school and Winscombe St. They look like wide cycle lanes, but there seem to be no lanes for vehicles. Is this a temporary aberration or is there some logic to the markings?
Colin Law, Takapuna.

This is all part of the Lake Rd cycle lane project, which is expected to be finished very soon. When it is done, there will be a parking lane next to the kerb, a cycle lane with green markings next to that, and then, furthest out, a traffic lane.

* Do you have queries about public transport, roading projects, roadworks or how to get a driver's licence? Contact Phoebe Falconer at Get Moving, Editorial department, NZ Herald, PO Box 32, Auckland. Fax (09) 373-6421 or email newsdesk@nzherald.co.nz. Include name and address.