The Waikato Expressway is a key strategic transport corridor for the Waikato region, connecting Auckland to the agricultural and business centres of the central North Island. It will improve economic growth and productivity through safer, more efficient movement of people and freight.
When completed, the Waikato Expressway will improve safety, reliability and congestion on State Highway 1 (SH1) by delivering a four-lane highway from the Bombay Hills to south of Cambridge.
Why are you changing the speed limit on the Waikato Expressway?
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 Waikato Expressway is built to very high safety standards. Because this road has features that make it safer for travelling at higher speeds, the speed limit can be set to a higher limit than other state highways.
What are the new speed limits?
- New speed limits table
Location
New permanent speed limit
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
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
Interchanges
New permanent speed limit
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
7. Taupiri Scientific Reserve
Proposed 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Concrete nose: A concrete nose is found at the exit and entry point of on and off ramps. It forms part of the area that separates the on/off ramp with expressway through traffic.
Limit line: A line marked on the surface of the road, indicating the place where traffic must stop to comply with a stop sign, give-way sign, pedestrian crossing, school crossing or traffic signal.
Close
How were the speed limits decided?
A 110km/h speed limit can only be set on stretches of road built to a standard where the higher speed limit is considered both safe and appropriate. This includes having at least two lanes in each direction, a central median barrier and no significant curves. When completed, the Waikato Expressway between Hampton Downs to south of Cambridge will meet the necessary design and safety standards for a 110km/h travel speed.
When did you consult on this?
On 26 October 2021, Waka Kotahi started formal consultation on a proposed new speed limit for the SH1 Hampton Downs to Tamahere section of the Waikato Expressway, including the on and off ramps at 14 interchanges along this section of the expressway to support this change. The consultation was open for four weeks and closed on 23 November 2021.
When do the speed limit changes come into effect and how are the public being notified?
The new speed limits take effect from Wednesday 13 July 2022. For the Hamilton section, the new speed limits will apply once opened.
The public will be notified of the new permanent speed limits through the newspaper, on the radio, on the Waka Kotahi website, and on social media.
Why aren’t all of the sections opening at 110km/h
A 110km/h speed limit will only apply to stretches of road built to a standard where the higher speed limit is considered both safe and appropriate. Waka Kotahi is upgrading the Hampton Downs, Ngāruawāhia and Tamahere sections to meet the necessary design and safety standards for a 110 km/h speed limit. These sections will be increased to 110 km/h upon completion of this work.
Where else in NZ can you travel 110km/h
The first state highways Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency increased the speed limit to 110km/h were the Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road (State Highway 2), and the Cambridge section of the Waikato Expressway (State Highway 1).
How is Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency legally allowed to set these speed limits?
Waka Kotahi is exercising its regulatory powers under the Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2017 and is continuing this process under the Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2022.
Under Clause 12.9 of the Speed Rule 2022, Waka Kotahi may set this speed limit under the previous Rule as modified by this clause.
This allows the Waka Kotahi, as a regulator, to set permanent speed limits for local roads.
Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits (2017)(external link)
This means permanent safe and appropriate speed limits can be set for State Highway 1.
How do speed reviews work?
More information about speed and the speed review process is available on the Speed Review Programme webpage.
Speed Review Programme(external link)
How is 110km/h a safe and appropriate speed, and how does it align with Road to Zero?
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency is committed to Road to Zero, Aotearoa New Zealand’s road safety strategy, which sets us on a path to achieve an Aotearoa where no one is killed or seriously injured on our roads.
As part of Road to Zero, we are prioritising investment in infrastructure improvements and setting safe speed limits, to help everyone get to where they’re going safely.
The Waikato Expressway is built to very high safety standards. A 110km/h speed limit will only apply to stretches of road where the higher speed limit is considered both safe and appropriate. This includes having at least two lanes in each direction, a central median barrier, no significant curves and low frequency left-in and left-out vehicle access to neighbouring properties.
Because this road has features that make it safe to travel at higher speeds, the speed limit can be set to a higher limit than other state highways.
Will heavy vehicles be able to go 100km/h or 90km/h on a road with 110km/h speed limit?
The current 90km/h speed limit for heavy vehicles and towing vehicles will also apply on 110km/h roads. The roads proposed to change to 110km/h have at least two lanes in each direction, so other road users should be able to safely and easily pass slower-moving vehicles.
90km/h speed limit for heavy vehicles is set under the Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004. 90km/h was deemed the appropriate speed limit for heavy vehicles when considering both safety and efficiency. Remembering some heavy vehicles can weigh up to 60 ton and require significantly longer to slow down and stop.
What is the difference between an expressway and a motorway and a local road?
State highways are those roads in NZ that form a nationally strategic purpose in moving people and goods nationwide. State highways are an asset Waka Kotahi manages on behalf of Central Government.
Motorways are access-controlled, high-speed roads that normally have grade separated intersections (i.e. have overbridges or underpasses). Motorways normally exclude pedestrians, cyclists and all animals. There is usually no stopping permitted on a motorway.
Expressways are also high-speed roads, but they may include grade separated, as well as appropriately spaced ‘at-grade intersections’, which means they often have accesses and driveways on to them and sometimes traffic signals or roundabouts. Some expressways also allow cyclists.
Local roads are those roads that form a regionally strategic purpose in moving people and goods within regions. These are managed by local government (councils).
Will other road users (for example people on bikes) be able to use the 110km/h roads?
If the new limit is on a motorway, non-motorised road users (for example, people walking or cycling) are currently prohibited from using the road. If the new limit is on an expressway, the shoulders will provide for cyclists unless signs specifically exclude them.
How will the speed limit on the 110km/h roads be enforced?
Police will apply the same enforcement considerations to 110km/h roads as any other part of the road network. This includes deploying to locations where the road safety risk is greatest. Officers will continue to use discretion in applying enforcement interventions according to the circumstances, with a focus on ensuring people drive in a safe manner and at a safe speed.
Waka Kotahi would like to remind drivers to drive to the conditions, free from impairment and distraction, and make sure everyone in the vehicle is properly restrained. By doing this, you will dramatically reduce the chances of causing harm to yourself and others on the road
Do vehicles that travel at faster speeds increase fuel consumption and therefore create more emissions?
Calculating vehicle emissions is complicated as there are multiple factors that need to be considered, in addition to speed.
There are over 4 million vehicles on Aotearoa roads, with over half of these classified as light passenger vehicles. Fuel consumption for light passenger vehicles will vary depending on the speed travelled as well as factors such as vehicle size, shape (related to air resistance), fuel type, age and how a person drives (e.g. sudden braking or accelerating). During congested conditions fuel efficiency is typically reduced resulting in higher vehicle emissions.
At Waka Kotahi, we use the Vehicle Emissions Prediction Model (VEPM) to estimate fleet average emissions from vehicles in the fleet, based on their average speed and typical road, traffic and operating conditions, such as weather.
VEPM predicts that the lowest emissions for the light vehicle fleet in Aotearoa occur at average speeds between 70-75km/h. Speeds outside of this range, both lower and higher, are estimated to create higher emissions on average but other factors must be taken into consideration when thinking about these speeds such as people’s safety, roading infrastructure, traffic volumes and operating conditions.
