- New 110km/h limit for Ara Tuhono Puhoi Northern motorway now in effect
- Same speed also permitted further south, from Orewa
- Motorists will still have to slow for Johnstones Hill Tunnels and 'transition zone'
A higher 110km/h speed limit came into effect today (July 1) on the Ara Tuhono Puhoi-Warkworth motorway, north of Auckland. It stretches from the Pūhoi interchange viaduct (2.5km north of the Johnstones Hill Tunnels) to south of the Warkworth roundabout.
Another 5.5km section further south, from Orewa to to the Tunnels, was raised to 110km/h in May. However, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says there are "no current plans" to change the limit of the bit in the middle of the two higher-speed sections: the Johnstones Hill Tunnels will remain at 80km/h, and a 100km/h transition zone will stay in place for the 2.5km north of the Tunnels to the Puhoi viaduct.
According to the Governmet media release: "While the SH1 Johnstones Hill Tunnels are built to high safety standards, the enclosed environment within a tunnel creates a different safety risk to that of the surrounding motorway."
And on the transition zone: "This section is an area of weaving movements, where traffic is diverging and merging, exiting and egressing on short, narrow on and off ramps, with narrow lines of sight over the viaducts, and does not meet safety criteria for an increased speed."
“Transport is a critical enabler for economic growth and productivity, and with over 20,000 vehicles travelling this motorway every day, the new higher speed will help ensure people and freight can get to where they need to go, quickly and safely,” says Transport Minister Bishop.
“Late last year, the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) publicly consulted on increasing the speed limit from north of the Pūhoi interchange viaduct to south of the Warkworth roundabout to 110km/h. More than 7900 submissions were received across Northland and Auckland. Responses were overwhelmingly positive, with 94% in support of the increasing the speed limit and 91% strongly in favour."