Transport Minister Chris Bishop said the motorway had been assessed as safe to increase the speed limit. (File photo) Photo: RNZ
A stretch of motorway north of Auckland city will have its speed limit increased to 110 kilometres per hour from Tuesday.
The Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway would have its speed limit increased from 2.5km north of the Johnstones Hill Tunnels, to south of Warkworth roundabout, Transport Minister Chris Bishop announced on Monday.
With over 20,000 vehicles travelling on the motorway each day, Bishop said the new higher speed would ensure people and freight could get where they needed to go "quickly and safely".
Last year the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) publicly consulted on increasing the speed limit from north of the Pūhoi interchange viaduct to south of the Warkworth roundabout to 110kph, Bishop said.
Transport Minister Chris Bishop. Photo: VNP/Louis Collins
"More than 7900 submissions were received across Northland and Auckland. Responses were overwhelmingly positive, with 94 percent in support of the increasing the speed limit and 91 percent strongly in favour."
The motorway had been designed and constructed with safety features that greatly reducd the risk of death and serious injury in a crash, Bishop said, which included two lanes in each direction providing safe passing opportunities, flexible median barrier separation between opposing lanes, and a mostly straight, wide alignment.
Since opening in 2023, no one had died in a crash on the motorway, Bishop said.
"Kiwis have had their say and NZTA has completed all required technical assessments, with the motorway being assessed as safe to increase the speed limit to 110kph. Now, we're getting on and delivering it."
Drivers could expect to see police patrols on the motorway at any time, just like any other road, he said.
"Drivers should continue to drive to the conditions, free from impairment and distraction, and make sure everyone's wearing their seatbelt.
"The Pūhoi to Warkworth motorway has vastly improved the safety, connectivity, and resilience of the network between Auckland and Northland, and has opened access to popular destinations between the two regions.
"As a critical route for road users, freight, and tourists, I look forward to the new 110kph speed limit coming into effect from tomorrow."
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