Transmission Gully Speed Limit Increased to 110km/h Ahead of Severe Weather | Wellington, NZ
- Wellington’s Transmission Gully motorway will see its speed limit rise to 110km/h from Monday, February 16, 2026, but warning signs indicating the change are being installed earlier than...
- New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi announced that while the new speed limit officially takes effect at 12:01am on Monday, crews will work to update signage on Saturday...
- “With roadworks ongoing on the motorway after the new speed limit takes effect, drivers are asked to follow all temporary speed limits in place at roadwork sites,” Waka...
Transmission Gully Speed Limit Increased to 110km/h, Signage Fast-Tracked Amidst Approaching Storm
Wellington’s Transmission Gully motorway will see its speed limit rise to 110km/h from , but warning signs indicating the change are being installed earlier than scheduled due to anticipated severe weather conditions across the North Island.
New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi announced that while the new speed limit officially takes effect at , crews will work to update signage on Saturday night, a full 24 hours ahead of the original Sunday night plan. This decision was prompted by forecasts of strong winds that would have made the sign changes unsafe to carry out as planned.
“With roadworks ongoing on the motorway after the new speed limit takes effect, drivers are asked to follow all temporary speed limits in place at roadwork sites,” Waka Kotahi stated. “This is essential for keeping the public and contractors safe.”
The speed limit increase, covering the 27km stretch of State Highway 1, follows public consultation conducted in mid-2025 and was formally announced earlier this week by Transport Minister Chris Bishop. The motorway, which opened in 2022, was designed and built to accommodate the higher speed.
The accelerated signage schedule coincides with the arrival of a significant weather system. MetService has issued orange-level wind warnings for the Wairarapa, Tararua District, and Wellington region, beginning Sunday evening and extending through Monday. Heavy rain watches are also in effect, alongside a strong wind warning for eastern Marlborough, potentially impacting sections of State Highway 1.
Motorists traveling through Transmission Gully are advised to remain vigilant and adhere to any temporary speed restrictions in place due to ongoing roadwork. The change aims to improve travel times and efficiency on the key transport route connecting Wellington and the Kāpiti Coast.
Waka Kotahi encourages drivers to stay informed about the evolving weather situation and plan their journeys accordingly. Updated weather information can be found here.