Northern Gateway - motorbikes to pay $2 like a car

[breakaway]

I wanted to go check this out on the bike but looks like it's really really bad out there, heh

[hayd3n]

you do realise im in wellingtion not 6 fingerd banjo playing south island rite?

oiii i have 7 fingers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MadDuck]

wait till tomorrow,it'll probably be somewhere near te hana.

Would not surprise me one bit!

Surley it wont be like that all of the time?

I look forward to seeing the excuses if it does.

I wanted to go check this out on the bike but looks like it's really really bad out there, heh

On the bike is not a problem

[Little Miss Trouble]

I wanted to go check this out on the bike but looks like it's really really bad out there, heh

Go for it!

Maybe I'm just cruel but the near stand still traffic made it even more amusing

[discotex]

Thats funny that....Auckland generating more than 33% of the GDP

As you can see the population in Auckland was 1,303,068 in the 2006 census, which is just over a third of the total population in New Zealand (4,027,947), and you were quoting Auckland as producing a third of our GDP...so that means you folk are not subsidising anyone, in fact, if what RDJ stated before holds to be true, it means that the rest of the country is subsidising Auckland to an extent!

So let the Facts speak for themselves!

I quickly tried to find a link to the roading spend per region but couldn't. I'm sure it's FAR less than a third.

Ditto on almost all counts when it comes to tax spend.

Another point I need to make is that Manufacturing may be the highest producing industry, but it needs the raw goods to start off with, whether it be wool or timber or whatever. Primary industry is the backbone of our country, it always has been and it always will be! Without our farmers and loggers and such we would be screwed!

Ummmm ok. The reliance on primary industry is one reason this country is so poor.

Oh, one last point...I was born in Auckland and spent some of my life there....I had the sense to move away when I could!

I had the sense to move out of the tall poppy syndrome ridden south island. So many haters. If it's so shit hot to live outside Auckland why do a third of the population choose to live here?

[Jantar]

... If it's so shit hot to live outside Auckland why do a third of the population choose to live here?

Why do two thirds choose not to?

[SeppoDave]

So no one likes it?

[SeppoDave]

Or are you all just a bunch of conspiracy theorists?

[discotex]

Why do two thirds choose not to?

Touche

Surprised we haven't had someone in New Plymouth pipe up about winning that "best place to live in NZ" thing last year

[BuFfY]

I thought it was awesome. We only went up that way because of the toll tunnel so I can understand how lots of other people did the same. Surely it will cut down the traffic congestion.
Although they had only one lane usable northbound it was wide enough to make it 2. They were sensible in making it one lane before the tunnel though, otherwise it would be three lanes merging into one after it.
Very enjoyable ride!!

[MacD]

Do I understand right? A two lane highway that merges into a single lane to go through the tunnel. That being the case there was no point in making it any wider than a single lane all the way.

The tunnels are dual lane width, but the north-going tunnel is marked up as a single lane at present. The merge occurs before entering the tunnel, as can be seen on the TVOne video.

While there may have been a lot of sightseers out today, it will still back up on any holiday weekend, as at that point most traffic going north is trying to get at least to Warkworth before turning off SH1, and that is still single lane from just past the tunnels. The real benefit is in moving traffic out of Orewa and avoiding the Waiwera hill (for cars that is).

[Ixion]

While there may have been a lot of sightseers out today, it will still back up on any holiday weekend, as at that point most traffic going north is trying to get at least to Warkworth before turning off SH1, and that is still single lane from just past the tunnels. The real benefit is in moving traffic out of Orewa and avoiding the Waiwera hill (for cars that is).

The real point is, that now Mabel and Stan will take the toll road. Because they are stupid , and it's easier, and doesn't involve any of those horrid windy bits of road.

Which means, no Mabels and Stans on the old SH1. Huzzah

And: with a nice new high tech alternative to SH1, hopefully TPTB will stop putting bloody ads in the papers telling Mabel and Stan to take SH16 as an alternative

I really resent that. SH16 is OUR road. They have no business telling cagers to use it.

[MacD]

I really resent that. SH16 is OUR road. They have no business telling cagers to use it.

Fortunately, most of them still prefer to sit in the queue through the Dome Valley than risk the wild west route.

[Ixion]

True. But if the advertising had gone on, each time a few would summon the courage to venture into the Great Unknown. " After all, if the authorities are telling us to, maybe we should " And before y' know it, SH16 is Mabelled.

Now, I trust TPTB will shut up about SH16 and everyone except bikers will forget that it exists (well, the bit North of Kaucop , anyway). South of Kumeu is a lost cause., but doesn't much matter.

[Pixie]

And: with a nice new high tech alternative to SH1, hopefully TPTB will stop putting bloody ads in the papers telling Mabel and Stan to take SH16 as an alternative

I really resent that. SH16 is OUR road. They have no business telling cagers to use it.

16 has been as quiet as the grave