SH75 Halswell north – proposed speed limit change: 60km/h → 50km/h

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This section of SH75 is part of the Halswell Road improvements – a Roads of Regional Significance project designed to improve bus journey times and reliability, provide more travel choices, and enhance safety along this busy arterial route connecting southwest suburbs to Christchurch’s central business district.

The project will be completed in 2026 and includes new bus lanes and shared paths. Significant residential and commercial developments, including new supermarkets, are changing the road environment. Traffic volumes are high, particularly during peak travel hours, with increasing numbers of people walking and cycling.

While both speeds are appropriate for the upgrade, the increasingly busy road environment makes 50km/h more forgiving in a crash.

We propose reducing the speed limit to 50km/h to:

• align with the speed limits on adjoining sections, providing route consistency
• better reflect the urban setting and increased activity
• improve safety for everyone by reducing crash severity.

Key estimates: 

• Travel time: 4 seconds longer per trip for all vehicles
• Safety: 17% fewer injury crashes
• Cost: $40,000. 

Full cost benefit disclosure statement

Cost benefit disclosure statement [PDF, 116 KB]

Have your say by completing this short survey by 6 March 2026

Fill in the online survey(external link)

SH75 Halswell Road improvements

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