Safer speeds on State Highway 58

Speed increases the likelihood of crashes and the severity of crash outcomes, regardless of what causes a crash. Following the speed limit reduction on State Highway 58 (SH58) from 100km/h to 80km/h in September 2018, the speed being travelled by the fastest motorists has dropped by 9km/h, while average travel speeds on the highway have dropped from 77 to 74 km/h.

“Reducing the speed limit on SH58 is designed to save lives and stop more people from getting seriously hurt, but more work needs to be done. To complement the lowered speed limit a staged suite of safety improvements is in the pipeline, which will make this highway safer for all road users.” says Mark Owen, NZ Transport Agency’s Regional Transport Systems Manager.

Speed is the biggest road safety issue in New Zealand.On average, 11 people are seriously injured or killed in a speed-related crash every week on New Zealand roads.

Staged safety improvements with interim measures

We understand the challenges and frustrations that residents and other road users face every day on State Highway 58 (SH58). Over the past year we made a good start on improving the highway’s safety with the speed limit lowered from 100km/h to 80km/h. Also in 2015 we straightened some of the high-risk curves west of Mt Cecil Rd, and installed a median barrier.

We appreciate your patience as the full programme of safety improvements on SH58 gets underway.The work is being implemented in two stages.

The first stage of construction work from Hayward’s Interchange through to Mt Cecil Rd is funded and expected to get underway within the next few months once a construction contract is awarded. It involves widening the road to include an uphill crawler lane, adding sealed shoulders, installing road barriers and curve corrections. Starting work at the eastern end of SH58 will avoid effects of the Transmission Gully construction activities and manage potential disruption to motorists.

The Stage 2 improvements from Mount Cecil Road to Transmission Gully, include widening the road, adding sealed shoulders, installing roadside and median safety barriers, curve corrections, two new roundabouts and improvements to bridges. Consenting and property acquisition will occur while Stage 1 is being completed and construction on Stage 2 will start after Transmission Gully opens and when funding becomes available.

We are listening to your concerns about delays in constructing the second stage of work and the timing to start after Transmission Gully opens.

Our project team has considered options, including suggestions from residents and road users, for temporary safety measures for the Stage 2 area within available budget. We are developing a plan for interim improvements. Information about these will be published on the project's web page by Friday 23 August.

More information

For more information on the SH58 improvements project, contact us at sh58safety@nzta.govt.nz

Visit our website www.nzta.govt.nz/sh58-improvements