"Anti-gawk screens" are designed to hide construction workers from motorists' gaze so as not to be a distraction. Photo / Glenn Jeffrey
Do you live in Auckland? Do you have a question or problem you want solved? Phoebe Falconer answers your queries every Thursday. Email 'Ask Phoebe' at newsdesk@nzherald.co.nz.
As I crawl along the Northern Motorway from Esmonde Rd to Auckland City in the mornings, the frustrations of the slow journey are mollified by the beautiful view of the harbour and city. Transit New Zealand has now put up a high concrete barrier between the bus and
traffic lanes where the Esmonde Rd onramp meets the motorway. Please tell me Transit is not going to extend this barrier all the way to Onewa Rd. This would impair one of the most beautiful views of the city.
Mark Flower, Takapuna.
Fear not. These barriers, called sight screens but known affectionately as anti-gawk screens, are temporary, to protect construction workers and shield them from the view of motorists so that the latter are not distracted while driving.
The final barrier that will run from Esmonde to Onewa will be a steel guard rail about 600mm high. This will prevent buses from careering off towards the sea in an accident, and will still allow motorists to enjoy the view.
Which begs the question - if construction workers are seen as a distraction, isn't the view across the harbour equally so?
The concrete barrier that currently runs 30m to 40m from the end of the Esmonde Rd onramp up to the merge with the motorway will remain, but it won't extend any further.
Could you please find out why the new Quay St traffic lights between the Ferry Building and Queen Elizabeth Square no longer show the 20-second countdown. It makes running for the ferry a bit tricky.
Inge Wisselink, Auckland.
The countdown timers suffered a bit of a glitch early last month, but, as you've probably noticed, they are fine now.
Are there any plans to place seating at bus stops in Broadway, Newmarket, both outside Two Double Seven and across the street from there? It's very tiring having to constantly stand to wait for a bus.
Katherine Scott, Epsom.
Not at this stage. The footpaths are too narrow, and shop access would be compromised if seating were to be installed.
What is going to happen to the old Nelson St offramp? I see it is now fenced off and unused.
Andrew Dronjak, Auckland.
It may be ugly and apparently unloved, but it is not unwanted. It will stay where it is for emergency vehicle access. Transit says it would be extremely costly and difficult to demolish, so it will stay. Learn to love it.
* Get Moving, which normally appears on Tuesdays, has been replaced by Ask Phoebe, which will now run twice a week. The columns will take a break next week, and resume next month.
I wish you all a merry Christmas, a safe New Year and happy motoring.
