Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency has set permanent new speed limits on SH22 from the Drury interchange to Paerata.
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency has been exploring ways to improve road safety along State Highway 22 between Drury Interchange (at State Highway 1) and Paerata so everyone using it can get where they are going safely and reliably.
Commuters, local businesses and freight use this road. Up to 25,000 vehicles a day are using SH22 to connect to SH1, and vehicle numbers are increasing.
One of the best things we can do to prevent people from dying or being seriously injured on this road is to ensure the speed limits are safe and appropriate for the road.
As part of the proposed safety improvements, and review of speed limits, we engaged with the local community and key stakeholders in 2017 and 2018 to understand people’s views on current and proposed speed limits along this corridor. In October and November 2019, we formally consulted with the public on proposed speed limit changes on State Highway 22 between Drury Interchange and Paerata.
The following speed limits were proposed during consultation and have been set as the new permanent speed limits. The new permanent speed limits came into effect on 30 June 2020.
| Location | Existing speed limit | New speed limits (come into effect on 30 June 2020) |
|
SH22 Drury interchange
|
70km/h | 60km/h |
|
SH22 Drury interchange to Paerata
|
100km/h | 80km/h |
|
SH22 Paerata township
|
70km/h | 60km/h |
When determining the proposed speed limits that we consulted on, we reviewed the speeds that people are currently driving on this road, as well as the road itself. The speed limits of 80km/h between Drury interchange and Paerata, and 60km/h at either end of this stretch of SH22 around Drury interchange and Paerata township, were assessed to be the safe and appropriate speeds for the route.
A review of average travel speeds shows people are typically driving at around 80-84km/h in the stretch between Drury interchange and Paerata, and around 65-69km/h through Drury interchange and Paerata township. Other factors considered were the high traffic volumes, regular intersections, roadside characteristics, and rapid residential growth in the area.
Over the last 10 years (2009-2018), there were 212 crashes on this stretch of road with seven people killed and 42 seriously injured.
Lower permanent speed limits are needed to reduce the number of crashes resulting deaths and serious injuries.
The new permanent speed limits will have minimal impact on travel times. Over the 11.5km route, the increase in travel time will be approximately 26 seconds.
Find out more about the new permanent speed limits on SH22 between Drury interchange and Paerata by reading the frequently asked questions.
Public consultation closed on 29 November 2019, and we received 162 pieces of feedback from stakeholder organisations and the public.
Auckland Transport is also making changes to speed limits on some local roads in Franklin on 30 June 2020.
We are working collaboratively to deliver our speed limit changes together.
