SH1 Dunns Crossing and Walkers Road Intersection Speed Zone approved

The new Intersection Speed Zone will be operational from Thursday 24 October

16 October 2024

The map above shows where the new flashing speed signs will be installed on SH1

Consultation and planning complete.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi will install an Intersection Speed Zone (ISZ) to slow traffic to 60km/h on SH1 when vehicles approach it from Dunns Crossing and Walkers Road by the end of October 2024.

An ISZ means when a driver is approaching the highway from Dunns Crossing or Walkers Road electronic signs are activated to reduce the legal highway speed to 60km/h, similar to the Burnham Road/SH1 intersection.

Reducing the speeds people travel at through the intersection means that crashes are less likely to happen because people will have more time to react to mistakes and avoid collisions causing death or serious injury. If a crash does occur, the people involved have a better chance of walking away if vehicle speeds are lower.

We consulted the community in November 2023 about the proposal to put in a intersection speed zone until we build a new roundabout at this intersection as part of the Rolleston Access Improvements Project

Watch this video to see how an Intersection Speed Zone works.

What else is happening in the area

Work is now underway finalising the design for the Rolleston Access Improvements Project which is part of the Roads of Regional Significance programme. This includes a roundabout and predestrian and cycle subway under SH1 – recommended as a result of community feedback – at Dunns Crossing and Walkers Road intersection with SH1. So the Intersection Speed Zone here will be a temporary measure until the roundabout is built. Construction of the roundabout and subway is currently programmed to begin towards the end of 2025.

What we heard from the community

We received 538 responses with over 1000 comments about the intersection. This included people's observations of driver behaviour, how they feel when they use the intersection and a very strong preference for this intersection to be made safer for everyone who needs to use it.

Many people said they felt unsafe turning onto and off SH1. Others were concerned when the 70km/h Temporary Speed Limit was taken out and speed increased to 100km/h. 

It is obvious to many who responded to our consultation that the Selwyn District population is increasing, and they see that reflected in the volumes of traffic all around Rolleston. Some felt that the speed in the area should dropped to one consistent speed to match the increasing urbanisation of the area.

A small number of people had concerns about an ISZ 'bunching up' traffic on SH1 leaving less gaps for turning traffic, while others thought that a change in speed would make it difficult for turning drivers to judge speed and the size of gaps, making it more likely that crashes would happen there. A few others in the community felt that it is an issue with under confident drivers using the intersection and that they should use an alternate route so that the speed could stay at 100km/h. 

More information

If you have any questions about the SH1 Dunns Crossing and Walkers Road Intersection Speed Zone project, contact us at dunnscrossingisz@nzta.govt.nz

Keep up to date with the roundabout and bridge over SH1 as part of the Rolleston Access Improvements Project by going to our website and subscribing for updates