Speed limit changes incoming for Stuart Highway, Channel Island Road

The NT government has changed the speed limit on part of the Stuart Highway and Channel Island Road. Find out the details.

A section of the Stuart Hwy has had its speed limit increased. Picture: Glenn Campbell

A need for speed limit changes has some Territorians revved up, accusing the government of targeting commuters instead of repairing roads.

The speed limit on Channel Island Rd will be reduced from 100km/h to 90km/h between Wickham Point Rd and Channel Island Bridge, and from 90km/h to 80km/h from Wickham Point Rd and Chung Wah Terrace.

Facebook users on the Road Report NT page were overwhelmingly miffed at the changes, which come into effect next week on July 1.

Channel Island Road speed change map.

“Let me guess, cheaper to change the speed limit after the trucks destroyed the road than it is to fix it,” one commented.

“Cheaper to change a few signs and lower the speed limit than actually fixing the highly used road to major gas and power plants. The tyre ruts and bumps along there are dicey at the best of times,” another said.

One questioned the rationale behind the change: “This is rubbish, as if the drive to town isn’t long enough already. Have there been accidents?”

Stuart Highway (Emerald Springs) speed change map.

Meanwhile, the section of the Stuart Highway fronting the Emerald Springs roadhouse will increase, from 80km/h to 100km/h.

The roadhouse closed in 2022 and has not reopened since.

Some on social media called for the speed limit to be increased to 130km, similar to the rest of that section of the highway, while others were pleased to see any increase.

“How refreshing to see a limit raised for once,” one person commented.

“About time,” several people said.

The Logistics and Infrastructure Department was contacted for comment.

On its webpage the department said the speed limits had been changed “as per national best practice”.

“Road users are urged to comply with all speed limits and drive like our lives are worth living,” it said.

Originally published as Speed limit changes incoming for Stuart Highway, Channel Island Road