Speed limit changes from July around the Waterview Tunnel

The NZ Transport Agency says changes to variable speed limits around the Waterview Tunnel will be introduced from July. The proposed changes on State Highways 20 and 16 will allow maximum speeds of 100km/h in certain driving conditions.

"Following a comprehensive safety and operational review of the area and consultation with key partners and the public, we are planning a phased roll-out with the first of these changes occurring from July”, says the Transport Agency’s System Design Manager, Brett Gliddon.   

“The Transport Agency would like to thank the public for their feedback on the proposal to increase the variable speed limits on sections of SH16 and SH20 around the Waterview Tunnel.”

Public feedback was open for a 4 week period with more than 3,000 responses provided during that time, with the significant majority in favour of increasing the maximum speed limit.

The changes to increase the variable speed limit from 30–80km/h to 30-100km/h will be introduced in two phases.

The first phase is planned in the following locations:

• SH20 northbound – 25m south of Dominion Road to 440m south of Maioro Street
• SH20 southbound – 650m north of Maioro Street to 5m north of Dominion Road
• SH16 westbound – 255m east of St Lukes Road to 880m west of the eastern abutment of the Rosebank Bridges
• SH16 eastbound – 880m west of the eastern abutment of the Rosebank Bridges to 235m east of St Lukes Road
• Including all on and off ramps connecting to local roads

The speed limit on the approaches and inside the Waterview Tunnel (including the connections from SH16 to SH20) will remain at a maximum of 80km/h to help manage the higher risks associated with an enclosed tunnel environment.

The second phase will extend the variable speed limits on SH16 towards the central motorway junction:

• SH16 eastbound – 235m east of St Lukes Road to 90m east of the Bond Street overbridge
• SH16 westbound – 680m east of the Bond Street overbridge to 255m east of St Lukes Road
• Including all on and off ramps connecting to local roads.

These changes are expected to follow shortly after investigations into the signage and system requirements have been completed.

For more information or to provide feedback on the planned locations for the variable speed limit changes please visit www.nzta.govt.nz/waterview-speed-limits(external link) or email waterview-speed-limits@nzta.govt.nz by 28 May 2018.

“The Transport Agency takes adjusting speed limits very seriously and although this speed review process has taken longer than first anticipated, we appreciate people’s patience while the necessary investigations, consultation and legal processes are completed.”

Variable speed limits mean that the maximum legal speed limit can change between 30km/h and 100km/h and be adjusted for the road and driving conditions.  Speed limits are likely to be reduced during peak periods when there are typically high traffic volumes and in the event of incidents, crashes, maintenance work or extreme weather conditions.

Map showing the 2 phases for introducing the variable speed limits on SH16 and SH20

Map showing the northern entrance and exit lanes of the Waterview Tunnel that will remain at 30 – 80 km/h, while SH16 lanes change to 30 – 100 km/h