Better late than never: WestConnex speed limit to increase next month

Business leaders have welcomed the imminent 10km/h increase to WestConnex speed limits which could save commuters valuable time with family.

Western Sydney commuters will start getting up to 18 minutes more back with their family each week when the WestConnex speed limit increases to 90 kilometres per hour next month.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal that the drivers will be able to drive 10km/h faster on the world-class road from April 20, in what is believed to be an unprecedented move to permanently increase the speed limit on an entire motorway.

The speed boost has been delayed multiple times by testing requirements compounded by the disastrous opening of the Rozelle Interchange.

The Minns government had previously planned to increase the speed limit by the end of 2023, then by the first quarter of 2024.

But the Minns government has finally made good on a pledge from former Premier Dominic Perrottet, revealed by the Telegraph before the last election.

Motorists will be able to drive 10km/h faster on WestConnex from April 20. Picture: Jonathan Ng

The speed limit increase will save drivers almost two minutes per trip if they travel the length of the motorway, meaning someone driving from Penrith to the city and back each day could save up to 18 minutes a week.

Roads Minister John Graham said increasing the speed limit was only made possible after the Rozelle Interchange opened to complete the WestConnex network.

“This is unequivocally good news for Sydney motorists who use WestConnex, getting them home that little bit sooner to spend time with family or across the city to make an appointment,” he said. While speed limits are regularly decreased, transport officials could not identify yesterday any other road where speeds have gone up - except for roads returning to original limits after repairs or upgrades.

The speed limit increase was delayed until after the Rozelle Interchange opened. Picture: Christian Gilles

“These modern motorway tunnels were designed specifically for traffic moving safely at 90km/h and now that WestConnex is complete we are adjusting the speed limit accordingly,” he said.

Business and industry leaders have celebrated the impending increase to speed limits, saying it was better late than never.

“It’s fantastic news, and well done to the Minister for delivering it,” Business Sydney Executive Director Paul Nicolaou said.

Former Premier Dominic Perrottet pledged to increase the speed limit before the 2023 election.

Premier Chris Minns matched the pledge from Opposition. Picture: NCA NewsWire

“Not only will it bring a productivity boost, especially for people in the transport sector, but it’s also going to mean that the city is going to move much quicker than it is at the moment,” he said.

Road Freight NSW chief executive Simon O’Hara also congratulated Transurban, which owns WestConnex, on getting the job done.

“This will deliver productivity gains not only for the freight industry but also for customers,” he said.

“This will mean that freight will be able to do the job faster and better,” he said.

The increase will be done in school holidays to give motorists the best chance to adapt.

NRMA spokesman Peter Khoury welcomed the fact that the government took its time to ensure increasing the speed limit could be done safely.

“Regardless of whether speed limits are put up or down, it should be evidence based and that means looking at available data on the performance of the road, and this is what happened here,” he said.

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