NCI Speed review outcome

Now that we have built safer infrastructure as part of the Northern Corridor Improvements (NCI) project, we are able to put speed limits up in some sections so people can get where they are going quickly and safely. On a short section, where we have built an efficient intersection, we have reduced the speed to ensure the intersection is safe to use.  In August-September 2023 we consulted on the following change following the completion of the NCI project.

SH18 – Caribbean Drive to Albany Highway section (eastbound and westbound)

As part of NCI several changes to State Highway 18 include:

• The removal of local road access from Unsworth Drive along the stretch of SH18 between Caribbean Drive and Albany Highway.
• New median and side barriers.
• The opening of the new eastbound offramp at Paul Matthews Road.
• Design upgrades to the eastbound onramp at Albany Highway; and
• A new westbound onramp.

These changes improve the safety for road users travelling along this section. As a result, the speed limit in this area can support a higher speed without compromising safety.

NZTA proposed to increase the speed from 80 km/h to 100 km/h in this section

Upper Harbour Highway – Constellation Drive offramp to Caribbean Drive

The short (less than 400 m) section of Upper Harbour Highway between the SH1 Constellation Drive northbound offramp and Caribbean Drive has undergone a lot of change from the upgrades implemented. In addition, construction of the new shared path supports people travelling on foot or by bike between their community and the transport hub of Constellation Station – or further afield.

This busy signalised interchange now stretches from the SH18 offramp at Paul Matthews Road across to Caribbean Drive and along to the SH1 on and offramps at Constellation Drive.
This urbanised section of road now supports a range of people travelling on foot, bike or in a vehicle.

To support the changes in this area, NZTA proposed to reduce the speed limit on this section from 80km/h to 50km/h.

This proposed speed limit change will also make the speed in this section consistent with the urbanised area east of Constellation Drive off ramp which is 50km/h

Proposed speed changes

Consultation

Across the four-week consultation period 30 August – 27 September 2023 a total of 75 complete submissions were received on the proposed speeds. We acknowledge the time and effort that went into these submissions and thank every person and organisation who contributed to the speed review process. We have considered all feedback received. From the 58 people who gave written feedback we could deduce there is strong support for the proposed speed reviews either in full or in part. A full summary of the consultation and feedback is available here on our website.

Outcome
The Director of Land Transport has confirmed approval for the speed limits proposed in accordance with the Alternative Method process provided for under Clause 2.6 of the Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2022. The letter from the Director of Land Transport is available here on our website; Director Approval – SH18 speed limit changes – 27 February 2024 (nzta.govt.nz)

The changes will come into effect from 26 March 2024.