The speed limits for a section of State Highway 77 Methven will reduce to 60kph by the end of July NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi has announced.
The new 600 metre speed limit area reduces the SH77 speed from 100 to 60, from north of the township, with its 50kph speed limit, to just past the entrance to the Ōpuke Thermal Pools.
At the end of 2022, people in Methven told NZTA that the 100kph speed limit no longer fitted this neighbourhood where people go to and from the hot pools and racecourse, often on bikes or on foot on the path next to the highway.
NZTA’s technical assessment supported this feedback and a reduced speed limit to match the road environment.
“In the days leading up to when the new speed limit applies, electronic signs on the roadside will display the ‘go-live’ date and Police will be in the area in the days following to remind drivers of the change,” NZTA director regional relationships James Caygill said.
Feedback on speed limits north of the township showed unanimous support for a reduction further than was initially proposed, he said.
Last week, the Minister of Transport released a proposed new Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits – now open for public consultation and planned to come into force at the end of the year.
NZTA is working under the 2022 version of the Rule for the Methven SH77 speed limit change but the change is also consistent with the intent of the incoming 2024 Rule.
When the new rule comes into effect, there could be more speed changes for Canterbury highways, including a variabvle reduced speed zone for Methven schools on SH77.
