Source: New Zealand Transport Agency
New speed limits will be put in place in two Otago towns from Friday, 4 December, following speed reviews over the past year.
- Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency has set a new permanent speed limit on SH90, through Tapanui, West Otago, extending the 50 km/h speed limit 200 metres south towards Gore. (See map below)
- In Rosebank, near Balclutha, 450 metres of SH1 will drop to 80km/h from 100 km/h currently. (See map below)
Both speed change proposals had support from Clutha District Council and Police.
The new speed limits or extended speed limit zones are to help prevent people from being killed or seriously injured, says Waka Kotahi Director Regional Relationships Jim Harland.
“No crash resulting in death or serious injury is acceptable, so it’s important we take every opportunity to address the risk,” he says.
Both speed reviews are aligned to New Zealand’s Road Safety Strategy(external link), Road to Zero 2020 – 2030 and a programme of work delivering safety improvements, including speed management, on our highest risk intersections and roads across New Zealand. Through these safety improvements, Waka Kotahi aims to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads.
Tapanui, SH90, background to this change
Over the last five years highway speeds on SH90 at the southern entrance to Tapanui have been a worry for local people and business owners, especially those living or operating adjacent to the highway. These concerns were shared by Clutha District Council and the Police, says Mr Harland.
Waka Kotahi received 73 submissions on the proposal to extend the 50km/ hour speed limit on the Gore side of Tapanui.
Consultation and submissions
Our consultation summary and the submissions on the Tapanui speed change can be viewed, from today, Friday, 13 November, at www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/sh90-tapanui-permanent-speed-limit(external link)
Rosebank, Balclutha, SH1, background
Rosebank is on the southern side of Balclutha, South Otago, on what is the main road freight route between Dunedin and Invercargill.
More than half the consultation feedback of 61 submissions agreed with the need for a speed reduction, to address the increased safety risks stemming from the new Rosebank industrial park adjacent to the highway. Several submitters felt the current 100km/h speed limit is too fast for a highway travelling past an industrial park and a heavy vehicle weighbridge.
Between 2009 and 2018 there were six crashes on this section of highway, one serious injury and two minor injuries.
Consultation and submissions
Our consultation summary and the submissions on the Rosebank, Balclutha, speed change can be viewed from today, Friday, 13 November, at https://www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/sh1-balclutha-permanent-speed-limit/(external link)
