Scenic view of a highway running alongside a river with a bridge in the background.

Project introduction

The speed limit is increasing to 110 km/h on the Kāpiti Expressway, from north of the Poplar Avenue interchange to south of the Ōtaki northern interchange.

  • Project type

    Speed review
  • Project status

    Design

SH1 Kāpiti Expressway

The Kāpiti Expressway continues to be an important section of State Highway 1 that provides interregional connection while also reducing congestion and improving travel times for people and freight.

It has been designed and constructed to a high safety standard, with features such as median-barriers, two lanes in each direction, and a mostly straight alignment. These high safety standards mean that the increased speed limit could be considered and implemented.

Changing the speed limit on this stretch of road is in line with our commitment to delivering state highways that help people get where they need to go, safely and efficiently.

  • New permanent speed limit

    The new permanent speed limit of 110km/h has been approved by the Director of Land Transport and is in effect from 13 November 2024.

    Once this happens, the new speed limit will apply to 24.5 km of the state highway, from north of the Poplar Avenue interchange at Raumati South, to south of the Ōtaki northern interchange.

    Until then, remember the maximum speed limit you can travel on the Kāpiti Expressway is 100km/h.

    Location

    Description

    Current speed limit

    New permanent speed limit

    SH1 Kāpiti Expressway

    North of the Poplar Avenue interchange to south of the Ōtaki northern interchange

    100km/h

    110km/h

     

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  • Excluded sections of road

    The on and off ramps at the Paraparaumu, Waikanae, Peka Peka, and Ōtaki Gorge Road interchanges are included in this 110km/h speed limit change. However, the connecting local roads and lower sections of those ramps are excluded.

    Other sections of this corridor that are not included in the permanent speed limit change at this stage are:

    • The 3.2 km Raumati Straights section of the Kāpiti Expressway doesn’t yet meet the side barrier and shoulder width, and pavement requirements to be included in the review.
    • Similarly, the 1.6 km northern end of Kāpiti Expressway between the Ōtaki northern interchange and Taylors Road wasn’t included in the speed limit review. To be considered for a 110km/h speed limit it would require improved roadside protection, widening the road to a dual lane carriageway, and widening of the left-hand shoulder to meet the standard.
    • Te Aranui o Te Rangihaeata – Transmission Gully is also built to the same high safety and operational standards, and early indications are that the crash numbers reflect the same improvement in safety. While Transmission Gully is operational, there are still some remaining works that we need to complete before we begin a speed limit review.
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Community engagement on proposed new speed limit

As a requirement of the current Setting of Speed Limits Rule (2022), public consultation took place from 22 April to 20 May 2024.

We received 3313 submissions from across the lower North Island, including 48 submissions from organisations. Ninety-three per cent of submissions supported the proposed speed limit increase, with 91% strongly supporting. Seven per cent did not support the proposed increase.

The consultation feedback, together with the technical assessments conducted, informed the recommendation sent to the Director of Land Transport for approval.

SH1 Kāpiti Expressway 110km/h speed limit review consultation summary report – August 2024 [PDF, 1.7 MB]