Tamahere Interchange, where many motorists from this region will join the Waikato Expressway. Photo / Ascend Photography
Tamahere Interchange, where many motorists from this region will join the Waikato Expressway. Photo / Ascend Photography
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is inviting people to have their say on a proposal to raise the speed limit on 64km of the Waikato Expressway to 110km/h.
The State Highway 1 Waikato Expressway is a key strategic transport corridor, connecting Auckland to the agricultural and business centres of Waikato and Bay of Plenty. It will improve economic growth and productivity through safer, more efficient movement of people and freight.
The Waikato Expressway is nearing completion, with the Hamilton section scheduled to open in mid-2022. Once complete, the expressway will improve safety, reliability and congestion on SH1 by delivering a modern, safe four-lane highway from south of the Bombay Hills to south of Cambridge.
In late 2017, following consultation, the Cambridge section of the Waikato Expressway was increased to 110km/h.
The Huntly, Rangiriri and Longswamp sections of the expressway have been designed and built to be safely driven at 110km/h. The Hamilton section, which is in construction, will also be able to be safely driven at 110km/h. These sections have features that make it safer for travelling at higher speeds.
Waka Kotahi director regional relationships David Speirs says Waka Kotahi will only consider a 110km/h speed limit for stretches of road built to a standard where the higher speed limit is considered both safe and appropriate.
"This includes having at least two lanes in each direction, a central median barrier and no significant curves," he says.
"Not all sections of the Waikato Expressway currently meet the design and safety standards for a 110km/h speed limit.
Section of the Waikato Expressway which could have a 110km/h speed limit, with varying limits at the interchanges. Photo / Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency
"Waka Kotahi is now preparing to upgrade the Ōhinewai, Hampton Downs, Ngāruawāhia and Tamahere sections so when completed, 64km of the Waikato Expressway from Hampton Downs to Tamahere will meet the necessary standards.
"This will mean that, when completed, 64km of the Waikato Expressway between Hampton Downs and Tamahere will meet the necessary design and safety standards for a 110km/h speed limit."
People travelling from Te Awamutu to Auckland will likely access the Waikato Expressway at the Tamahere interchange. The 1.6km Tamahere section of the expressway is one of the four remaining sections left to be upgraded and will see side barriers installed in early 2022 to ensure it meets the 110km/h standards.
Once completed it is expected to reduce travel times by 35 minutes between the Bombay Hills and south of Cambridge, regardless of the outcome of the 110km/h speed limit consultation.
It is anticipated the time savings of travelling 110km/h from Hampton Downs to south of Cambridge will be between 3 and 3.5 minutes in free flow conditions.
David says before any speed limits can be changed, Waka Kotahi must consult, as part of the legal process for speed limit reviews.
"It's important people have the opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed speed limit changes and let us know if there are any additional factors we need to consider before a final decision is made."
Formal consultation on the 110km/h speed review closes 5pm Tuesday, November 23.
David says we need to carefully consider the information we receive, alongside our own assessments, to ensure we make the best informed decision we can.
"Changing speed limits is a legal process and there are numerous steps we need to carefully follow once we have completed our analysis. We hope to be able to make an announcement on the outcome of the Waikato Expressway speed review in the coming months."
Submissions can be emailed to waikato.speed.reviews@nzta.govt.nz or download a FreePost consultation form from, or complete the form online, at nzta.govt.nz/WEX110
