Transmission Gully will have its speed limit raised to 110km/h from next week, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says.
The new limit will apply from 12.01am on Monday, February 16, 2026, for drivers travelling between Wellington and the Kāpiti Coast.
“This change is part of a wider effort to fix the basics of our transport network and set it up for the future. We’re committed to providing state highways that help people get where they need to go quickly and safely,” Bishop says.
The 27km section of State Highway 1 between the Linden and Paekākāriki interchanges is currently posted at 100km/h. Heavy vehicles and vehicles towing trailers will continue to have a 90km/h limit.
“Transmission Gully is a critical transport link for Wellington and Kāpiti, carrying around 22,000 vehicles a day and providing a safe, modern, and resilient route between the regions,” Bishop says.
“The road, as one of the previous National Government’s first Roads of National Significance, was designed and built to support higher-speed travel, subject to meeting strict safety standards. Since opening in 2022, Transmission Gully has recorded low crash rates, with no deaths despite more than 150 barrier strikes. Safety features including two lanes in each direction and a flexible median barrier between opposing lanes help reduce the risk of death or serious injury in a crash.”
Public consultation on the proposal took place in mid-2025, with 2061 submissions received. Of those, 92% supported raising the limit to 110km/h.
“I want to thank drivers for their patience over summer while essential maintenance and resurfacing work was completed. That work has helped bring the road to the point where a higher speed limit can be safely applied,” Bishop says.
Although Raumati Straights was consulted on at the same time, the speed limit will not increase on that section.
“Although Raumati Straights was consulted on at the same time, due to constraints on this section of the corridor, including the rail line and proximity to Queen Elizabeth Park, the Raumati Straights were not built to the same design and safety standards as other sections of the Kāpiti Expressway. Technical assessments determined that this section did not meet the minimum safety and design requirements for a 110km/h speed limit,” Bishop says.
“Increasing the speed limit on this section would require significant investment in safety improvements. This remains a possibility in the future, but it would depend on further scope development and funding decisions.”
NZ Transport Agency will continue to monitor the corridor and work with police on enforcement as the higher speed limit comes into effect.
