Tauranga MP and Transportation Minister Simon Bridges is “almost certain” the Tauranga Eastern Link will be one of a few highways to see an increased speed limit change.

The proposal to increase the speed limit to 110km/h on some roads was introduced yesterday, with Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss saying a new Speed Management Guide will modernise New Zealand’s approach to managing speed and enable a limit of 110km/h on some roads.

Following the announcement, Simon told SunLive that he thought the Tauranga Eastern Link is a near certainty for the 110km/h rule.

“We’ve invested huge money to make it to the highest safety specifications with median barriers, four lanes and no access to properties on it. It’s safer and a bit faster.

“We’re going to consult on the rule change on that earlier next year and we hope to have that rule in place for when the law change comes in on August 1, 2017 when 110 km will be allowed on some roads. I think almost certainly including the Tauranga Eastern Link.”

Other roads proposed to have the new speed limit introduced on them include: Transmission Gully motorway being constructed north of Wellington, the soon-to-be-open Kapiti Expressway, the Waikato Expressway and the Northern Gateway toll road north of Auckland.

The Speed Management Guide will replace the speed setting guidance in the Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2003. Consultation on the changes will begin in early 2017.