Flexible median barriers, safer speed limit, improved signs and markings were just some of the interventions installed on the State Highway 1 (SH1) Centennial Highway to reduce the number of people being killed and seriously injured on this road.
Following Wellington’s coastline north to the Kāpiti Coast, the Centennial Highway was a treacherous piece of road that over 11 years saw 17 people killed and 15 seriously injured.
To reduce the number of people being killed and seriously injured on this road, a 3.5km flexible median barrier was installed along two sections from north of Pukerua Bay to just south of Paekākāriki. Alongside new median barriers, the speed limit was lowered from 100km/h to 80km/h to improve safety. Each time the barriers are damaged, a serious crash or a potential head on collision has been avoided.
Since these improvements were made, no one has been killed on the road and there was a significant reduction in serious injuries.
