Transport Minister Chris Bishop has announced the start of a six-week public consultation on a proposal to raise the speed limit on State Highway 1 through Transmission Gully and the Raumati Straights to 110km/h.
Bishop said the move is part of the Government’s broader effort to boost economic growth and productivity by reducing travel times and improving transport efficiency on this key route between Wellington and the central North Island.
Bishop highlighted Transmission Gully’s modern safety features, including dual lanes and a median barrier, which have resulted in over 150 barrier strikes but no fatalities since the road opened in 2022.
He described the highway as a vital, resilient link for the region and a cornerstone of the National Government’s infrastructure agenda since it was first announced in 2009.
The consultation also includes Raumati Straights, which connects Transmission Gully to the Kāpiti Expressway, with the aim of expediting decisions on speed limits before further safety upgrades. Public feedback is open from 30 May and can be made via the NZTA website.
Nanny state
Autobahn it!
No reason not to. You hardly feel like you are moving at 100km/h. In fact there are many places in NZ where the speed limit is absurdly low. In China most main highways like this are 120km/h.