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KEY POINTS:
When you come on to the motorway at Greenlane, heading north, a sign at the side of the road says "Southern Motorway". When you come on to the motorway at Constellation Drive, heading south, a sign says "Northern Motorway". The signs are technically correct, but what is the point of them? Although I am familiar with both places, I always do a double-take: am I going the wrong way? Why not "motorway north" or "motorway south"? Anyone from out of town or even out of zone would be confused.
Peter Calder, Westmere.
The signs are the official road names, just like the street name sign where you live. The point of them is basic driver navigation. Tourists use maps and road names as navigation tools when they are choosing a route, and so what is on the map must be reflected in the road sign. And, contrary to your fears of visitor confusion, Transit has had a lot of good feedback from the very people the signs are designed for.
I travel from Pt Chevalier to the city on my way home from work, and I use the Port motorway turnoff. Just before the offramp there is a speed sign of 80km/h. Up to that point it is 100km/h. I always slow down to 80, and get honked at for my trouble. Am I in the right?
Patricia Fitzgerald, Auckland.
You certainly are. They are speed limit signs, and you must obey them. To do otherwise is to risk a fine and, potentially, a dangerous accident.
Are there any plans in the pipeline to have access northwards or south to the motorway in addition to Tristram Ave? This is a complete shambles at present and I can see no easy answer.
Leon Burnett, Takapuna.
Not as far as I can make out. There is no mention of another interchange in Transit's current 10-year plan. But the shambles will sort itself out when the Northern Busway comes into operation, scheduled for the middle of next month. This will free up room to build another northbound lane between Northcote Rd and Sunnynook. And once the remaining three bus stations are finished, in February, more and more people will catch buses and the car traffic will ease.
