Slower speed limits on State Highway 1 at both entrances to Balclutha came into effect yesterday.
The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) says the new limits are to improve road safety at these sites and to more accurately reflect changes in the road and surrounding environments, since the existing speed limits were set 22 years ago.
Under the changes, the 70kmh speed limit at the north end of Balclutha was extended 100m north of its former boundary, and the 50kmh zone was extended about the same distance north to the SH1-Norfolk St intersection.
On SH1 south of Balclutha, the 50kmh speed limit now finishes south of Kakapuaka Rd and from there to about 400m north of Peggydale an 80kmh limit applies.
Contractors erected new speed-limit signs at both entrances yesterday morning.
NZTA Otago-Southland State Highways manager Ian Duncan said the changes were the result of a review of the speed limits at these sites and of consultation with the AA, police and Clutha District Council.
''The road environment at the sites where the changes are being made is a lot different from the way it was when the current speed limits were established over 20 years ago, with more residential development and vehicle access points on to the highway.''
Adjusting the speed limits to take into account the road and surrounding environment was an integral part of the agency's ''safe system'' approach to road safety, he said.
