Ask Phoebe: Two-day closure becomes two weeks

File photo / Wairarapa Times-Age

Rossgrove Tce by Baldwin Ave train station is closed while the new station is being built and the track upgraded. KiwiRail's website said the road would be closed for two days at the beginning of January. The road has now been closed for more than two weeks. I live in the area and received no notification of the closure. Detour routes are very poorly marked; those who don't know the area must get lost. When will the road reopen? Until it does, could KiwiRail supply detour signs that can be easily followed?
- Rosemary McGlynn, Mt Albert.

As you have probably noticed, Mrs McGlynn, the level crossing on Rossgrove Tce is now open. It was scheduled to reopen last Monday, but because of signalling problems at the Baldwin Ave station, it was delayed until Tuesday.

Rossgrove Tce was to have been closed for only two days while the level crossing was upgraded, as part of the Baldwin Ave station redevelopment.

The closure was extended until last week, as it was a safe access point for trucks and machinery. KiwiRail's website was updated before Christmas to reflect this, and a flyer about the diversion was sent to 200 residents who live closest to the work site.

KiwiRail apologises to local residents for any inconvenience and thanks them for their patience. The new Baldwin Ave station opens on Tuesday, February 1.

Would you know the reason for the earthworks taking place at the end of Water St in Mt Eden, next to the railway line? It has been going on for several months now.

- Troy Simpson, Auckland.

All sorts of agencies had a hand in getting an answer to this one. KiwiRail has been working in the area installing a new signalling system between Newmarket and Morningside. There were no earthworks attached to the signalling project, but the work continues, so there will be some hustle and bustle but no diggers or large machinery.

KiwiRail suggested Metrowater might have some knowledge of the work. No, they said, not us, but they kindly forwarded the question to Auckland Council and their stormwater manager, Grant Ockleston.

He said the earthworks were associated with stormwater drainage and connected to the twin tracking and electrification of the railway lines.

Apparently the track-lowering under the Mt Eden Rd overbridge caused drainage problems requiring extra pipe work.

Ponding problems could disrupt train services if flooding occurred, but the lowering work severed the existing stormwater system, which then needed repair and realignment.

The work is being paid for by the Auckland Council, as stormwater drainage is its responsibility, but it is being done by KiwiRail, as it is a very small site and only one operator can get in to do the work.

Along the Auckland waterfront, heading towards the city, the signage states that from 7am to 9am, the inside lane is a T2 lane. Can this lane be used by all vehicles after 9am?

- Michelle Young, Auckland.

Yes it can. The restriction on usage applies only to the advertised times; outside of these hours, the lane reverts to one available for general use.