Get Moving: Getting into fast lane at Gillies not advised

By PHOEBE FALCONER

Q. With the new 'fast lane' now in place between the Gillies Ave onramp and Nelson St offramp on the Southern Motorway, can I get into the fast lane from Gillies Ave, or on to the Nelson St offramp at the other end?
Doug Cole, Hillsborough.

A. You can get into the enclosed lane from the Gillies Ave onramp, but you'd have to be pretty nippy, and Transit suggests you don't even try. You can get to the Nelson St offramp at the other end and thus to the North Shore. If you just want to get to the city, it might be easier to stay out of the enclosed lane and use the Symonds St or Wellesley St offramps.

* * *

Q. When is a buslane out of Auckland, along the Northern Motorway, going to happen?
Jeanette Stewart, Auckland.

A. Work is supposed to start before Christmas on the much-heralded North Shore Busway, which will run on the eastern side of the motorway and carry buses and what are called "high occupancy vehicles" north and south between Esmonde Rd and Constellation Drive.

From Albany to Constellation Drive the vehicles will use the motorway shoulder, and there will be a single bus lane from Esmonde Rd to the harbour bridge approach. Work at Esmonde Rd has begun, but there are five bus stations to be built as well as roadways, so it'll take time - until mid-2007.

* * *

Q. Any idea why the left hand lane at the bottom of Nelson St has been coned off? I can't see construction work.
Robyn Bern, Auckland.

A. That's because it hasn't started yet. There's a building site behind other buildings at the bottom of Nelson St, and the lane closure is to allow trucks to remove soil between 9am and 6pm on weekdays.

* * *

Q. Can more spaces for Tamaki Drive/Portland Rd buses be provided? Bus stop D13 in Tyler St is inadequate, with queuing buses clogging up Commerce St, and passengers jostling and darting in to the carriageway to get on their bus.
S J Ross, Queen St.

A. It's a bit of a Catch-22 situation. Auckland Regional Transport Network (ARTNL), which manages Britomart, says that four buses should be able to arrive, load and leave in about four minutes. However, because of the congestion, bunching occurs, which upsets the schedule, so it takes longer to load and leave, and in the meantime more buses arrive, and so it goes on.

ARTNL is going to look at options, which may mean at least one of the services leaving from a different stop.

* * *

Q. Has anyone suggested the possibility of building another six-lane motorway viaduct directly above the present Victoria Park Viaduct? Same ground space, minimal disruption.
Colin Chapman, Westmere.

A. No, for a number of reasons. Earthquake risk, visual pollution, angle of access, construction difficulty, cost - need I go on?


* Do you have questions about public transport, roading projects, roadworks or how to get a driver's licence?
>> Email the Herald