Lower limit for SH60 next week
Drivers travelling along a deadly stretch of State Highway 60 near Richmond will have to take their foot off the accelerator a little from Tuesday.
The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has announced it will drop the speed limit from 100kmh to 80kmh along the section of SH60 between Maisey and McShane roads on December 18.
At the same time as the change comes into effect, lower limits will also apply on several Tasman District Council roads around that section of SH60.
The increasingly busy 100kmh section of SH60 has been the site of multiple fatal and serious crashes in recent years.
‘‘Over the three years from 2015 to 2017, there were 12 crashes where eight people died and 12 people were seriously injured,’’ says NZTA director regional relationships Jim Harland. ‘‘Reducing the speed limits will improve safety, and help make those crashes that do happen survivable.’’
As well as being a key commuter route for Nelson and Tasman residents, many visitors travel along SH60 to reach popular tourist destinations such as Kaiteriteri, Abel Tasman National Park and Golden Bay.
The changes received support from the local community, police, the Road Transport Association and the Automobile Association, as well as Tasman District Council and NZTA, Harland said.
Speed limit changes on council roads, due to come into effect at the same time mean the 100kmh section of Lower Queen St along with Lansdowne Rd, Best Island Rd, Blackbyre Rd, Redwood Rd, Research Orchard Rd and Pukeko Lane will drop to 80kmh, while Barnett Ave and River Rd will be lowered to 60kmh.