From 12 April this year new speed limits will apply on Kāpiti roads that have been created or reconfigured as part of the Mackays to Peka Peka Expressway project.
The changes follow a six week engagement and consultation period carried out by the NZ Transport Agency, together with the Mackays to Peka Peka Alliance and Kāpiti Coast District Council, late last year.
Today the Kāpiti Coast District Council voted unanimously to approve new speed limits on the nine local roads.
NZ Transport Agency Highway Manager Neil Walker says the new and revised speed limits respond to changes in traffic patterns and volumes on local roads now that the Mackays to Peka Peka Expressway is open.
“The speed limits reflect the function of these roads and aim to minimise harm on roads that have been newly created or reconfigured as part of the Expressway project.”
From 12 April, temporary speed limits that were put in place to help keep people safe during the construction of the Mackays to Peka Peka Expressway on Emerald Glen Road and Waterfall Road near Mackays Crossing, and Ratanui Road and Otaihanga Road in Otaihanga, will be removed and replaced with a 60km/h speed limit.
Once construction is complete, a 60km/h speed limit will also be applied to Ngā Manu Reserve Road and Maurice Smith Way in Waikanae. Both roads have been built in response to the Expressway project.
Once the construction of the Poplar Avenue interchange is complete, temporary speed limits will be removed and a 50km/h speed limit will apply to the entire length of Poplar Avenue.
Likewise, once the construction on the Peka Peka interchange is complete, temporary speed limits will be removed and the recently created Hadfield Link and Te Kowhai Link Roads will have an 80 km/h speed limit.
“The changes take into account technical assessments of suitable speed limits, and feedback received from the Kāpiti Coast community,” Mr Walker says.
Further information about changes to speed limits on Kāpiti roads can be found on the Transport Agency’s website at www.nzta.govt.nz/m2pp-safe-speeds(external link).
The $630 million Mackays to Peka Peka Expressway project has delivered an 18 km four-lane Expressway along the Kāpiti Coast. The Expressway is a section of the Wellington Northern Corridor, one of the Government’s roads of national significance. It is a critical link to the lower North Island and key regional destinations.
