New speed review proposal for SH10 Awanui to Kaingaroa

Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency has revised its speed review proposal for State Highway 10 Awanui to Kaingaroa to include variable speed limit zones around marae. It’s calling for new feedback from the community.

Last year Waka Kotahi proposed reducing the speed limit on this section of SH10 from 100 km/h to 60 km/h, but after considering the feedback and making further investigations we found that creating a permanent 60km/h speed limit along (nearly) 4kms of SH10 between Mahimaru marae and Kareponia marae will not provide the best safety outcomes for road users, says Waka Kotahi Director of Regional Relationships, Steve Mutton. 

“The speed review on SH10 has been a very robust process and we thank local people for their feedback, including those who didn’t support our first proposal. This is good. It’s what the consultation process is for. But it’s not over yet. We have a new improved proposal for people to respond to.” 

“Waka Kotahi recognises that marae are a focal point for the Maori community and that hui, whakanui and other events attract many people and vehicles, creating road safety issues at times.” 

The speed review now proposes variable speed limit (VSL) signs to slow traffic when vehicles are entering or exiting the marae, or people are walking alongside the highway to the Komako urupā (cemetery). At all other times the speed limit past the marae will be 80km/h, a reduction from the current 100km/h limit. 

Vehicles slowing to enter or exit the marae will automatically activate the VSL signs through sensor-pads embedded in the highway and the marae driveways. Once activated the VSL will display a 60km/h speed limit, slowing traffic so vehicles can turn safely. 

During tangihanga, when people are walking to and from the urupā, the VSL signs can be activated manually. This will slow passing vehicles to 30km/h and improve roadside safety for pedestrians. 

“We want to make SH10 between Awanui and Kaingaroa safer for everyone who uses it. The best thing we can do to prevent people from dying or being seriously injured is reduce speed limits, so they are safe and right for the road. Most crashes are caused by a number of factors, but even when speed is not the cause of a crash, it most likely determines whether people are killed, injured or walk away unharmed,” says Steve Mutton.

Formal consultation on the new speed limit proposals is required under the Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limit (2017). 

The formal consultation period runs from Monday, 23 November to Sunday, 20 December 2020. 

Further information and on-line options to make submissions on these proposals can be found on www.nzta.govt.nz/northland-speed-reviews(external link) from

Monday. 

“While we receive and process your feedback on making SH10 safer, we will be installing billboards on the roadside to remind people to slow down and be safe this holiday season,” says Steve Mutton.

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What’s proposed:

LOCATION	CURRENT SPEED LIMIT	PROPOSED NEW SPEED LIMIT	CURRENT AVERAGE SPEED
1   Existing 100km/h area from 455m  southwest of Pukewhai Rd to 610m  northeast of Duncan Road.	100km/h	80km/h	80-84km/h
2   Existing 100km/h area through Kaingaroa from 610m northeast of Duncan Road to 360m southwest of Duncan Road.	100km/h	60km/h	80-84km/h
3   Existing 100km/h area from 360m southwest  of Duncan Road to 1.480km southwest of Pairatahi Road.	100km/h	80km/h	80-84km/h
4   Existing 100km/h area through Kareponia from 1.480km southwest of Pairatahi Road to 1.275km northeast of Godinovich Road.	100km/h	60km/h	80-84km/h
5   Existing 100km/h area from 1.275km  northeast of Godinovich Road to 440m  west of Kumi Road.	100km/h	80km/h	80-84km/h
6   Extending the existing 50km/h area by 180m east of Awanui to 440m west of Kumi Road.	100km/h	50km/h	80-84km/h
7   Existing 100km/h area from 40m west of Kareponia Urupa Access Point to 150m northeast of Kareponia Marae Access Point.	100km/h	Variable 30km/h when pedestrians are present 80km/h at all other times	80-84km/h
8   Existing 100km/h area from 150m northeast of Kareponia Marae Access Point to 150m southwest of Kareponia Marae Access Point.	100km/h	Variable 30km/h when pedestrians are present OR Variable 60km/h when a vehicle is turning into or out of the marae 80km/h at all other times	80-84km/h
9   Existing 100km/h area from 150m northeast of Mahimaru Marae Access Point to 150m southwest of Mahimaru Marae Access Point.	100km/h	Variable 60km/h when a vehicle is turning into or out of the marae 80km/h at all other times	80-84km/h

Road to Zero

This speed review is aligned to New Zealand’s Road Safety Strategy, Road to Zero 2020–2030 and a programme of work delivering safety improvements on our highest risk intersections and roads across New Zealand. Through these safety improvements, Waka Kotahi aims to prevent the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roads.

Safe Network Programme(external link)

More information about speed management and Road to Zero:

MIL OSI