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.
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.
The new permanent speed limit of 110km/h has been approved by the Director of Land Transport and is expected to be in place by the end of 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 |
Close
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:
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.
