Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is reviewing speed limits on SH16 from Brigham Creek to Waimauku in an effort to save lives and prevent serious injuries from crashes on this high-risk road.
The Transport Agency’s Director of Regional Relationships, Steve Mutton says it proposes to reduce the speed limit on different sections of the road from 60km/h to 50km/h, from 100km/h to 80km/h and from 70km/h to 60 km/h.
“We are committed to improving safety on State Highway 16 as the area continues to grow. There’s been a high number of crashes on State Highway 16 between Brigham Creek and Waimauku, and locals have told us that speeds on the road feel too high to be safe.”
SH16 is mostly a high-speed rural road that passes through many towns including Huapai, Kumeu, Waimauku, Helensville, Kaukapakapa and Mangakura. Over 30,000 vehicles a day use the route between Brigham Creek and Kumeu, and 15,000 vehicles a day between Huapai and Waimauku.
Between 2009 and 2018, there have been 449 crashes on this section of road, with seven people killed and a further 57 seriously injured.
“Speed increases both the likelihood of crashes and the severity of crashes when they happen. A small reduction in speed can make a big difference, especially when cyclists or pedestrians are involved. Most crashes are caused by a number of factors, but even when it’s not the cause of a crash, the speed at impact is most likely to determine whether anyone is killed, injured, or walks away unharmed.”
Over the last two years, the Transport Agency has sought people’s feedback on current speeds on SH16 from Brigham Creek to Waimauku. This feedback has been used alongside our technical analysis to determine the safe and appropriate speeds for this stretch of road.
Formal consultation on the new speed limit proposals is required under the Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits (2017). Before we make a final decision, we want to hear from you.
Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits (2017)
Public consultation is open for four weeks from 29 October to 26 November.
Further information and on-line options to make submissions on these proposals can be found at nzta.govt.nz/auckland-speed-reviews
Reviewing speeds is part of the Transport Agency’s Safe Network Programme, which will deliver proven safety interventions on high risk routes across New Zealand. This programme uses the Safe System approach, focusing on safe roads and roadsides, safe and appropriate speeds, and safe rail level crossings. More information about the Safe Network Programme is available on the Transport Agency’s website.
| Location | Current speed limit | Proposed new speed limit | Current mean operating speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| SH16 Kumeu/Huapai | 60km/h | 50km/h | 50–54km/h |
| Reduce speed limit to 50km/h for the 70km/h section from 50m south-east of Old Railway Road to 20m west of Station Road. | |||
| SH16 Huapai | 60km/h | No Change | 50–54km/h* |
| No change to speed limit from 20m west of Station Road to 200m north-west of Trigg Road | |||
| SH16 Kumeu/Huapai to Waimauku | 100km/h | 80km/h | 80–84km/h |
| Reduce speed limit to 80km/h for the 100km/h section from 200m north-west of Trigg Road to 140m east of Wintour Road. | |||
| SH16 Waimauku | 70km/h | 60km/h | 65–69km/h |
| Reduce speed limit to 60km/h for the 70km/h section from 140m east of Wintour Road to 380m west of Solan Drive | |||
* Figure represents mean operating speed along the Kumeu/Huapai corridor. Speed is higher west of Station Road.
More information about speed management and the Safe Network Programme are available in the links below:
