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Variable speed zones introduced on SH16 and SH20

Tuesday, 15 May 2018

When there were road works earlier this year some motorists weren’t sticking to the limit.

The speed limit around the Waterview Tunnel in Auckland will increase from July.

Variable speed zones in the area will range between 30-100 kmh, depending on the conditions. 

A maximum 80kmh limit was imposed during the development of the tunnel and changes to the motorway layout. 

The move incensed a large group of motorists who campaigned to have the speed returned to the 100kmh limit.

**READ MORE:

* NZTA consults on raising Auckland motorway speed back to 100kmh

The northern entrance and exit lanes of the Waterview Tunnel will remain at 30 to 80kmh, while State Highway 16 lanes will change to 30 to 100kmh.
The northern entrance and exit lanes of the Waterview Tunnel will remain at 30 to 80kmh, while State Highway 16 lanes will change to 30 to 100kmh.

* Speed limit around Auckland's Waterview Tunnel fixed at 80kmh until early 2018

* Auckland reacts to NZTA's u-turn on Waterview speed limit** 

The variable speed limit will be introduced in two stages, as shown on the map.
The variable speed limit will be introduced in two stages, as shown on the map.

Changes to the speed limit would be introduced in two phases on State Highway 16 and State Highway 20.

The Waterview tunnel was the final road section to be completed in the Western Ring Route.
The Waterview tunnel was the final road section to be completed in the Western Ring Route.

However, the speed limit on the approaches and inside the tunnel would remain at a maximum of 80kmh.

Last year, a petition called on the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) to reinstate the 100kmh speed limit on the Northwestern Motorway.

The online petition received 14,000 signatures before NZTA announced the agency would review the speed limits. 

NZTA system design manager Brett Gliddon said they received 3000 responses during a four week consultation period earlier this year. 

A significant majority were in favour of increasing the maximum speed limit, he said.