DM8 wrote:Yes, nitpicking in the extreme. The vast majority of people who work in transport know that 3x3 lanes means dual carriageway, 3 lanes each way.
Why stop there? Why not say dual
portal, 3 lanes each way?
The vast majority of people who work in transport know that 3x3 lanes means three lots of three lanes. And that some people say 3x3 when they mean 3+3.
A simple Google search will show you this.
38 results for "3x3 lanes"
49400 results for "3+3 lanes"
Just because Google gives you some results doesn't mean it's correct.
Now back to the Northern Connector....
OK. The reason I think the first 4 lanes constructed should all be one of the eventual carriageways (probably the northbound one) is that it is likely to be much cheaper. For a start, where bridges are needed, building 2 lanes of each carriageway would mean they'd all have to be constructed before it opens, so the original cost would be much higher. If you look at Elder Smith Road (aka the Mawson Connector) you'll see that the abutments for the bridge over the railway are wide enough for a 2+2 road, but right now the actual bridge carries what will eventually become the westbound carriageway.
If there was a need for intermediate interchanges then there would be a good reason to build 2 lanes of each of the Northern Connector's eventual two carriageways. But as there isn't, it makes sense to save the money.
