Get moving: Why has western ring route stalled?

Q: The completion of the western ring route across Auckland seems to have stalled at the Waterview section. What is happening here? Bryan Parker, Pt Chevalier.

A: Public consultation on this section is well overdue. The Waterview connection is Transit's proposed section of State Highway 20 from Richardson Rd in Mt Roskill to the Northwestern Motorway at Waterview. Auckland City supports this alignment in general, and wants public feedback via a series of meetings to be held by local community boards. The Eden/Albert Community Board will hold its extraordinary meeting on Thursday at 6.30pm in the Owairaka District Primary School hall. Avondale Community Board meets on Monday at 6.30pm in the Waterview Primary School hall, and Western Bays Community Board will meet on August 16 at 6.30pm in the Grey Lynn Community Centre.

Q: Puhinui Rd in Papatoetoe carries a huge amount of traffic but comes almost to a halt when it reaches the Bridge St dogleg. Are there plans to build a bridge over the railway line to make a straight run here? S.W. Dines, Papatoetoe.

A: Not quite. Manukau City Council has committed $17 million to local roading, including a link to the western ring route. As part of the project, a tunnel is planned to go under the railway line, to connect Liverpool Ave and Nesdale Ave. This will provide a straight run off the Southern Motorway to the airport.

Q: Royal Oak roundabout has two lanes entering from the north side and no clear lane markings. As I take the left lane to head out of the roundabout I am forever competing with right-hand lane traffic. Could the lane markings be improved? Michael Moriarty, Auckland.

A: New road rules introduced last year included changes to roundabout markings to indicate clearly-marked paths for motorists entering and leaving, and councils were given two years to phase in the markings.