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Drivers are being asked whether two speed limits should be increased by up to 40km/h on State Highway 1, just north of Warkworth.
Unless enough people object to the proposed changes, the 60km/h stretch of highway, from the motorway roundabout to just north of Goatley Road, and the subsequent 80km/h section, from there to Sheepworld, will both go up to 100km/h.
The proposals are part of new government rules to reverse many speed limit reductions brought in since 2020, starting July 1. While many of these changes will happen automatically, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is allowed to consult on some roads to see if there is public acceptance of the existing lower speed limits.
An NZTA spokesperson said the speed limits north of Warkworth had originally been reduced to manage the speed of traffic approaching and exiting the new motorway junction, and to ensure safer and more consistent speeds in and out of the Dome Valley, now a permanent 80km/h zone.
“This ensured a consistent and safer route from the Dome Valley all the way through to Warkworth and the northern end of the motorway,” the spokesperson said.
“An important consideration on this section of state highway is consistency. If the community does not support today’s speed limits, this section will need to reverse to 100km/h under the rule.”
If the change went ahead, northbound drivers would be able to drive at 100km/h (or 110km/h, if that proposal currently being considered is approved) on the motorway until the 60km/h zone approaching the roundabout, then go back up to 100km/h from the roundabout until Sheepworld, where the limit would drop back to 80km/h.
Conversely, southbound drivers would be able to drive at 100km/h from Sheepworld to the roundabout and the start of the motorway.
“There are mixed views in the community today about the lower speeds remaining permanently, so we’re consulting to understand whether the community wants the lower speed retained,” NZTA said.
“Under the government’s new rule, NZTA is required to reverse the speed limit on this section unless there is public support to retain it.”
Public consultation on the Warkworth SH1 speed limits is open until Thursday, March 13.
Meanwhile, Auckland Transport (AT) is currently working through the government changes to see how they affect all other roads in the region.
Customer and network performance director Simon Buxton said AT was compiling a full list of roads where limits would be changed, and full details would be published on its website “in the coming months”.
Info and NZTA feedback form: https://shorturl.at/9XY2C
