The first cars used the tolled section of the Tauranga Eastern Link at sunrise on August 3, 2015. Photo/John Borren
The first cars used the tolled section of the Tauranga Eastern Link at sunrise on August 3, 2015. Photo/John Borren
Tauranga is now home to one of New Zealand's fastest legal stretches of open road.
As of this morning, the speed limit for the eastern end of the Tauranga Eastern Link - Domain Rd to Paengaroa - increased to 110km/h.
The 15km section of State Highway 2 was also notable for being one of the country's three tolled highways, carrying trip fees of $2 to $5.
The other road with an increased limit was the 16km Cambridge section of the new Waikato expressway, which is not tolled.
Waikato road policing manager Inspector Marcus Lynham told the Herald late this morning, the transfer had so far been smooth with most motorists complying with the new limit.
However, staff stationed had noticed some drivers were remaining in the right hand lane while travelling at 100km/h, forcing drivers to overtake in the left hand lane.
"He'd noticed at least three cars cruising along in the right hand lane travelling at 100km/h ... people who are driving at the old speed limit need to use the left hand to allow those who are travelling at 110km/h to pass safely."
An NZTA map showing the locations of the two new 110p/h speed limit zones.
Meanwhile, in Tauranga, Marg Paterson, owner of Paengaroa business The Funky Lizard Cafe, was looking forward to the increased limit on the TEL.
She said she used the road three or four times a week, usually to go to Tauranga for business.
It was a quick road and easy to slip over the previous 100km/h limit, she said.
"I think it will be good. It will be nice to not have to keep an eye out for a traffic cop around every corner."
Last week the Bay of Plenty's top traffic cop warned that police would be enforcing a strict 4km/h speed tolerance on the road during the holiday period, which would begin at 6am next Monday.
"If you're detected by a safe speed camera exceeding the area's posted speed limit by more than 4km, it is likely you will receive a fine," Inspector Brent Crowe said.
"Our officers will still have discretion in how they deal with incidents and how they are enforced. Their focus will be on preventing harm on our roads."
The NZ Transport Agency said the TEL and expressway were chosen for a 110km/h limit because they were "two of the safest roads in New Zealand".
The agency's safety director, Harry Wilson, said the roads' safety features included median-barriers, no crossing roads, no tight curves and two lanes in each direction.
The other half of the Tauranga Eastern Link - Domain Rd to Te Maunga - was rejected for the new limit because it had on and off ramps.
There will be no change to the open road speed limit for trucks and towing vehicles, remaining at 90km/h.
The 10km/h increase was both welcomed and slammed as "playing with lives" when it was announced in November last year.
Stuart Nash - then police spokesman, now Police Minister - during the election campaign. Photo/Paul Taylor
At that time, Labour's then police spokesman - now Police Minister - Stuart Nash raised concerns that 110km/h would become "the absolute new norm", leading people to go faster in 100km/h zones.
"I just think we are playing with fire, and we are playing with the lives of Kiwis."
Asked yesterday about his position on the issue as a minister, Nash said in a statement: "I support the increase in the speed limit in these two cases, where the roads have been assessed to be safe enough and significant consultation has occurred.
"However... drivers must continue to use their judgment and make safe decisions when behind the wheel."
