NZTA seeks feedback on proposed speed limit cuts on state highways

Speeds on proposed sections of state highways would drop from 100km/h to 60km/h, NZTA said. Photo / Jack Riddell

People are being urged to have their say on seven proposed new Intersection Speed Zones at key state highway intersections across the Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Rotorua regions.

Intersection Speed Zones aimed to improve safety at rural intersections on high-speed roads by detecting approaching traffic intending to turn into or out of side roads, activating electronic variable speed limit signs to temporarily show a lower legal speed limit on the main road.

The idea was to make it “easier and safer” for people to pull into or out of side roads across a high-speed rural road or state highway.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) Waikato and Bay of Plenty regional relationships director Andrew Corkill said the new Intersection Speed Zones were being proposed following safety concerns raised by communities in both regions.

“People have said they feel unsafe when they are turning into, or crossing, busy state highways, particularly where high-speed traffic meets side roads.

“By reducing the speed of oncoming traffic through high-risk intersections we can give everyone more time to react, which reduces the chances of crashes occurring, and reduces the severity of any crashes which do occur.”

The new Intersection Speed Zones in the region were proposed to be installed at the following locations:

-SH5 SH28 (Whites Rd) – Putāruru area

-SH39 Tuhikaramea Rd – West Waikato

-SH27 Kereone Rd/Diagonal Rd – Waharoa area

-SH29 Taotaoroa Rd/Totman Rd – Karapiro

-SH5/30/Waipa State Mill Rd – Rotorua

-SH30/34/Greive Rd – Te Teko area

SH33 Maniatutu Rd – Lake Rotoiti, Ōkere Falls area

Under the proposal, speeds on these state highways would drop from 100km/h to 60km/h on the approaches to the intersections when the Intersection Speed Zone was triggered by traffic approaching from or turning into the adjoining side roads.

The reduced speed limits would remain in effect while the turning or crossing manoeuvre was in progress, giving all road users increased reaction time and safer conditions.

After the manoeuvre was completed, the sign resets to the standard speed limit.

Speed limit proposals – Bay of Plenty

NZTA was also currently consulting on a proposal to reduce the speed limit on an 830m stretch of SH33 between Ōkere Falls and Mourea from 100km/h to 80km/h, as well as on the proposal to set speed limits of 50km/h for the on and off ramps at the new Wairākei Interchange (Pāpāmoa East) and the Rangiuru Interchange on the Tauranga Eastern Link.

NZTA welcomed submissions on the speeds proposed.

To make a submission and for further information on the proposed new Intersection Speed Zones and other speed limit proposals in the region, visit: nzta.govt.nz/new-speed-reviews-under-the-2024-rule