Get moving: Workers take a well-earned midwinter break

By PHOEBE FALCONER

Q. Nothing seems to be happening at the building works for the new Takapuna interchange. Are they having a midwinter break? - Paul Harding, Red Beach.

A. That's exactly what they're having, Paul. Generally in winter the ground is too damp for enabling work to continue, so the workers have a well-deserved break until the ground dries out a bit.

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Q. What is the purpose of the temporary barriers down the middle of Quay St? - H. Morris, Parnell.

A. Well, they've gone now, as you've probably noticed, but they were there to stop motorists doing u-turns in Quay St. Taxi drivers were particularly naughty.

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Q. I tried to get from the airport to the North Shore one night recently, but found the Gillies Ave onramp was closed, and I had to make a long detour to get home. Do they really need to close such an important onramp? - Philip Kershaw, Browns Bay.

A. I don't know how long you were out of the country, Philip, but the Gillies Ave onramp and other ones around the area have been closed at night since 2002. It's all part of the Central Motorway Junction Project, which involves the realigning and improvement of various motorway approaches in the city. It should all be over by December next year.

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Q. Why does the Northwestern Motorway narrow to two lanes at the Pt Chevalier interchange and then almost immediately become three lanes again? There appears to be an allowance for a third lane to go through - is this going to happen? - Chris Hains, Auckland.

A. Transit New Zealand put its hand up for this one, as they are responsible for motorways. They are looking at changes at Pt Chevalier to allow three through lanes, but this then exacerbates the problem further up the line at Lincoln Rd and Te Atatu Rd, because the carrying capacity on these local roads is inadequate for the volumes coming off the motorway, and you can't just phase the traffic lights to clear the traffic from the motorway, you have to allow for cross traffic as well, and so the queues form. Transit is talking to Waitakere City about improvements, but it's a tricky one. They suggest you make alternative arrangements if you can, such as catching a bus or train, to ease the frustration and the traffic volumes.



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