NZTA advisory

The speed limit for a short section of SH77 in Methven will change from Friday, 19 July, says NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA).

Methven is the gateway town to Mt Hutt skifield and more recently has its own thermal pools centre – Ōpuke Thermal Pools. The new 600 metre speed limit area reduces the state highway speed from 100 to 60, from north of the township, with its 50km/hour speed limit, to just past the entrance to the new pools.

At the end of 2022, people in Methven told NZTA that the 100km/hour 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.