High level of interest in 110kmh

Plans for a 110kmh speed limit on two roads have prompted thousands of submissions.

The first two roads in line for the bumped-up limit are the Tauranga Eastern Link Toll Road (State Highway 2) and the Cambridge section of the Waikato Expressway (SH1).

If they get the go-ahead, the change will happen before 2017 is out, the NZ Transport Agency has said. And interest is high – NZTA got 3200 formal submissions on the proposals and more than 10,000 comments on social media.

The consultation period closed on October 26 and response numbers eclipsed anything NZTA had seen before.

‘‘It’s a very high level of public interest, which is great,’’ NZTA director of safety and environment Harry Wilson said.

‘‘We didn’t quite anticipate that level of support … We really appreciate the feedback that people are giving us.

‘‘It’s not just a matter of yesses and nos. It’s not a vote. Where people say no, what they may be saying is also, we’re worried about this or have you got the median barrier in this place or is it safe for a cyclist?’’

Some submissions were from people living near the roads in line for a higher limit and others came from national bodies, such as freight companies and the AA.

One theme was people worried about the increasing road toll and whether the higher speed limit would increase risk.

These two roads are made to handle those speeds, Wilson said – ‘‘The corners, the shape of the road, the median barriers, the fact that they have grade separations – no intersections, no driveways.’’

They’re not the standard ‘‘two lanes with a piece of paint down the middle of it,’’ he said.

‘‘If someone does lose control, they can’t cross the centre line. There’s a barrier in the way.’’

The Eastern Link and Cambridge section of the expressway are the first two potential 110kmh roads put out for consultation, but others could come come up over the next year.

Drivers still need to choose a speed to suit conditions, Wilson said, bearing in mind bad weather or the possibility of rockfalls or wandering stock.

Now the consultation period has closed, NZTA will collate and analyse the submissions and a decision should be made before Christmas.

SPEED LIMITS

❚ New South Wales, Australia

100kmh is the default limit for nonurban roads.

❚ Northern Territory, Australia

130kmh is the maximum and applies on some sections of the four major highways. 110kmh is the default speed limit outside built-up areas.

❚ Texas, USA 70 miles per hour

(113kmh). The Texas Transportation Commission can establish a limit of up to 85mph (137kmh) if the highway is designed to accommodate that speed.

❚ France 130kmh under normal conditions on a motorway. The wet-weather maximum is 110kmh.

❚ Singapore 90kmh is the maximum on expressways. Buses and coaches are limited to 60kmh on expressways.