Waka Kotahi is standing firm in the face of local opposition to a lower speed limit for the road between Napier and Taupo.
It insists reducing the maximum speed on the highway from 100 kilometres an hour to 80 next month will make the road safer and it has the backing of police and road safety experts.
Local mayors have been encouraging residents to sign a petition to stop the change.
RNZ Hawke's Bay reporter Tom Kitchin has more.
