What's on a map must be on road sign, despite direction of travel.
Q: Could you tell us why there is a road sign on the left-hand side of the Gillies Ave northbound on-ramp that reads Southern Motorway when we are clearly going north? Am I missing something? Shelley Salthouse, Auckland.
Yes, I'm afraid you are. The sign is the official road name, justlike the street name sign where you live. The point of it is basic driver navigation. Tourists (and locals) 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. However, after I addressed this very question some years ago, signs appeared along the motorways indicating that you were heading north, or south, or whatever the case may be. These signs are for information and clarity, but should not be confused with the official road names.
And a bit of general information about our motorways. The motorway system that runs through the city of Auckland (SH1) is made up of several sections. From north to south, you travel along the Northern Motorway from the Puhoi turn-off to the northern abutment of the Harbour Bridge. You then travel over the bridge (a separate section of SH1) to the southern abutment, where the Central Motorway Junction, aka Spaghetti Junction, begins. This section takes you through to Khyber Pass Rd, where the Southern Motorway begins. This ends at the SH2 interchange at Pokeno.
Q: I don't suppose you can tell me how to submit ideas for changes to road layouts? I really want Auckland Transport to consider adding a roundabout to the Franklin Rd/Wellington St/England St intersection in Ponsonby. The current design suffers a number of serious flaws that make it quite dangerous and as there is a school nearby, I'd like to see some changes before someone gets hurt. James Stone, Auckland.
I can certainly tell you how. The best way to provide suggestions to Auckland Transport is via the call centre (09 355 3553) or by visiting the website (www.at.govt.nz) and clicking on 'Contact Us' and submitting a feedback form. If you can get like-minded neighbours to do the same, your case is strengthened.
With regards to the suggestion of installing a roundabout at the intersection of Franklin Rd and Wellington St, Auckland Transport advises that this intersection has some particular challenges. There is the gradient of Franklin Rd to be considered, as well as the presence of heritage trees and the need to provide for pedestrians to cross the road. These constraints may limit the available options for the intersection.
The somewhat better news is that Franklin Rd is due for a major upgrade and the layout and safety of the intersection will be investigated as part of that.
