Motorway speed change proposed

Travellers are being asked for feedback on a proposal to increase the speed limit on two sections of State Highway 1, between Orewa and Warkworth, from 100km/h to 110 km/h.

“Safety features include two-lanes in each direction to provide safe passing opportunities, physical separation between opposing lanes to prevent head-on crashes, and a mostly straight, wide alignment,” Mutton says.

NZ Transport Agency director for regional relationships Steve Mutton says sections of motorway were designed and constructed to a high safety standard, which meant they could be considered for increased speed limits.

The two sections being considered are from the start of the toll road to the Johnstones Hill tunnels and from the tunnels north to Warkworth.

Mutton said the sections of the motorway where the speed won’t change include:

• Johnstones Hill Tunnels, where the enclosed environment of tunnels creates a different safety risk to that of the surrounding motorway. The speed limit on SH1 through the Johnstones Hill Tunnels is 80km/h and there are no plans to review and/or change this speed limit.

• SH1, south of the Northern Gateway Toll Road, currently operates with a permanent speed limit of 100km/h through to the Auckland Harbour Bridge and there are no plans to review that speed limit, either.

The current 90km/h speed limit for heavy vehicles and towing vehicles will still apply on any road with a 110km/h speed limit. This means journey times for vehicles carrying freight will remain unchanged.

A spokesperson says some heavy vehicles can weigh up to 60 tonne and take a lot longer to slow down and stop.

NZTA will consider all feedback received during the consultation process before recommending a new speed limit, which will be reviewed alongside technical and safety assessments. It will then provide a recommendation to the Director of Land Transport and this process could take six to 12 months.

Road and transport campaigner and Rodney Local Board member Geoff Upson says the motorway should have been 110km/h when it opened.

“I am disappointed in how hard the police have been working to make revenue from people who already drive 110km/h on the new motorway,” he says.

“The road is suitable for a speed limit of 130km/h one day. Internationally, lots of similar motorways are 130km/h and Germany has the safest motorways with no speed limits at all.

“Hopefully, increasing the speed to 110km/h will encourage police to go and do something else with their day, like catch speeders outside schools.”

Upson says he is disappointed that the tunnels will remain 80km/h.

“I reckon we could at least raise it to 90km/h so it’s only a difference of 20km/h, but I think there are some rules about tunnel speed limits.”

Consultation on the proposed speed change closes on October 1.

To find out more and provide feedback, head to: nzta.govt.nz/sh1-northakl-110.