Speed review announcement

Between November and December 2019, we consulted with stakeholders and the public on the safe and appropriate speed for State Highway 3 from just south of the Turere Place/Great North Road (SH3) intersection to just north of the Blue Skin Road/Great North Road (SH3) intersection.

Whanganui is growing, and the way this road is used has changed. There are more homes in this area, and the current speeds are no longer safe and appropriate. There have been 21 crashes on this stretch of road between 2009 and 2018. Two people died and three were seriously injured in these crashes.

Waka Kotahi is always looking for ways to improve the safety of our roads. This route is included in the top 10% of the regional network which will result in the greatest reduction in death and serious injury through speed management, and there has been consistent support from local communities for a speed review in these areas.

During engagement and then formal consultation locals told us they feel unsafe, and that the speed limit should be lowered to reduce the number of crashes and make it safer so people could continue to do things like going to school, or walking or cycling beside the state highway. Our priority is to make this road safer so that everyone using it can get where they are going safely and reliably.

Speed limit changes in December

Permanent speed limits
The following speed limits were proposed during consultation and have been set as the new permanent speed limits. 

New permanent speed limits for SH3 from 18 December 2020

• 50 km/h from 30m south of Turere Place/Great North Road (SH3) intersection to 200m north of Tirimoana Place/Great North Road (SH3) intersection.
• 80 km/h from 200m north of Tirimoana Place/Great North Road (SH3) intersection to 100m north of Blue Skin Road/Great North Road (SH3) intersection.

More information

For more information on the SH3 Whanganui to Westmere speed review project, visit our website www.nzta.govt.nz/sh3-whanganui-to-westmere-speed-review