Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency has set new 110km/hr speed limits for the SH1 Waikato Expressway, between Hampton Downs and Tamahere.
The Waikato Expressway has been designed and built to be one of the best roads in New Zealand. It is a key transport route for the Waikato region, connecting Auckland to the agricultural and business centres of the central North Island.
Between October and November 2021 Waka Kotahi consulted on the proposed speed limit changes which have now been finalised and will take effect from Wednesday 13 July 2022. In addition to consulting with the public, Waka Kotahi also consulted with Iwi, NZ Police, AA, Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand and the local councils.
Director Regional Relationships David Speirs says overall, the majority of the 744 submissions received were in support of what was proposed.
“This road has been selected to have its speed limit increased because of its design and safety features. This is one of the country’s best roads.
“The Government invests heavily in our transport system and has upgraded many state highways with a focus on making them safer and more efficient. The speed limit is being increased on the Waikato Expressway because it is a modern road that can support higher travel speeds without compromising safety. The features making it safer for travelling at higher speeds include having at least two lanes in each direction, a central median barrier and no significant curves”, Mr Speirs says.
The new speed limits will apply to the Hamilton section of the Waikato Expressway scheduled to open in mid-July, as well as the remaining Hampton Downs, Ngāruawāhia and Tamahere sections currently being upgraded to meet the necessary design and safety standards.
When completed, people will be able to safely travel a continuous 78km, from Hampton Downs to south of Cambridge, on a median divided four lane expressway at 110 km/h.
More information on the permanent speed limits and our consultation summary, including the submissions can be found at: www.nzta.govt.nz/WEX110
SH1 Waikato Expressway new permanent speed limits, effective from Wednesday 13 July 2022.
For Hamilton sections, the new speed limits will apply once opened:
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Location |
New permanent speed limit |
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SH1 southbound. From approximately 650 m north of Hampton Downs Road overbridge to approximately 1.3 km south of Tamahere interchange (Airport Road). |
110 km/h |
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SH1 northbound. From approximately 1.3 km south of Tamahere Interchange (Airport Road) to approximately 650 m north of Hampton Downs Road overbridge. |
110 km/h |
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Interchanges |
New permanent speed limit effective |
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1. Hampton Downs Interchange |
Southbound off-ramp: 110 km/h until approximately 130 m before the limit line. Northbound off-ramp: 110 km/h until approximately 100 m before the limit line and 80 km/h beyond this point, for the remainder of the ramp. On-ramps: 110 km/h from approximately 100 m before the concrete nose. |
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2. Te Kauwhata Interchange |
Southbound off-ramp: 110 km/h until approximately 130 m before the limit line and 80 km/h beyond this point, for the remainder of the ramp. Northbound off-ramp: 110 km/h until approximately 200 m before the limit line and 80 km/h beyond this point, for the remainder of the ramp. On-ramps: 110 km/h from approximately 100 m before the concrete nose. |
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3. Rangiriri Interchange |
Off-ramps: 110 km/h until approximately 70 m before the limit line and 50 km/h beyond this point, for the remainder of the ramp. On-ramps: 110 km/h from approximately 100m before the concrete nose. |
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4. Armitage Road |
Off-road slip lane: 110 km/h until approximately 20 m past concrete nose. On-road slip lane: 110km/h from approximately 20m past Paetai Road. |
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5. Ōhinewai Interchange |
Off-ramps: 110 km/h until approximately 160 m before the limit line. On-ramps: 110 km/h from approximately 100 m before the concrete nose. |
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6. Huntly Northern Interchange |
Off-ramps: 110 km/h until approximately 100 m past the concrete nose. On-ramps: 110 km/h from approximately 100 m before the concrete nose. |
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7. Taupiri Scientific Reserve |
30 km/h within the Scientific Reserve carpark. Off-road slip lane: 110 km/h until approximately 100 m past the concrete nose. On-road slip lane: 110 km/h from approximately 10 m before the concrete nose. |
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8. Gordonton Road (Taupiri) Interchange |
Southbound off-ramp: 110 km/h until approximately 110 m before the limit line. Northbound off-ramp: 110 km/h until approximately 130 m before the limit line. On-ramps: 110 km/h from approximately 100 m before the concrete nose. |
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9. Hamilton Northern Interchange |
Off-ramps: 110 km/h until approximately 100 m past the concrete nose On-ramps: 110 km/h from approximately 100 m before the concrete nose. |
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10. Resolution Drive Interchange |
Off-ramps: 110 km/h until approximately 110 m before the limit line and 80 km/h beyond this point, for the remainder of the ramp. On-ramps: 110 km/h from approximately 100 m before the concrete nose. |
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11. Greenhill Interchange |
Southbound off-ramp: 110 km/h until approximately 150 m before the limit line and 80 km/h beyond this point, for the remainder of the ramp. Northbound off-ramp: 110 km/h until approximately 130 m before the limit line and 80 km/h beyond this point, for the remainder of the ramp. On-ramps: 110 km/h from approximately 100 m before the concrete nose. |
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12. Ruakura Interchange |
Off-ramps: 110 km/h until approximately 80 m before the limit line and 60 km/h beyond this point, for the remainder of the ramp. On-ramps: 110 km/h from approximately 100 m before the concrete nose. |
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13. Hamilton Southern Interchange |
Northbound off-ramp: 110 km/h until approximately 200 m past the concrete nose. East-West southbound link off-ramp: 60 km/h to Bollard Road Extension. Southbound on-ramp: 110 km/h from intersection with East-West southbound link. |
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14. Tamahere Interchange |
Southbound off-ramp: 110 km/h until approximately 110 m before the limit line and 80 km/h beyond this point, for the remainder of the ramp. Northbound off-ramp: 110 km/h until approximately 70m before the limit line and 80 km/h beyond this point, for the remainder of the ramp. Northbound on-ramp: 110 km/h from north of Devine Road intersection. Southbound on-ramp: 110 km/h from approximately 100 m before the concrete nose. |
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Table notes
