WestConnex will need to be closed to test higher speed limit

The state government has confirmed it will increase the speed limit on the WestConnex to 90km/h before the end of the year.

Transport for NSW has for the first time confirmed that travel on the WestConnex will be sped up to 90km/h — but the plans will require the motorway to be completely closed for safety checks.

The moves to increase the speed limit by 10km/h are stuck in the slow lane, with Transport for NSW (TfNSW) blaming work on the Rozelle interchange for how long it is taking to complete a “safety review” into speeding up the road’s speed limit.

According to a spokesman, the department also needs to work out if increasing the speed limit would impact tunnel ventilation.

Now The Daily Telegraph can reveal that drivers will be inconvenienced by a full motorway closure before being allowed to drive 90km/h in the WestConnex tunnels.

A safety review into increasing the speed limit will not be completed before the end of the year. However, TfNSW has for the first time acknowledged the speed limit is on track to be raised, rather than just reviewed.

Roads Minister John Graham (left) and Premier Chris Minns. Picture: NewsWire / Nicholas Eagar

“The speed limit increase on WestConnex remains on track to be implemented by the end of the year,” a spokesman said.

The safety review into raising the speed limit has been “impacted” by “ongoing testing and commissioning of Rozelle interchange”, the spokesman said.

The road will need to be closed while the safety review is carried out. Picture: Darren Daly

“We are also currently assessing and documenting how the ventilation system will operate with the speed limit changes in place.”

Premier Chris Minns agreed to raise the WestConnex speed limit by 10km/h during the election campaign, matching a promise from former premier Dominic Perrottet.

However, industry leaders have now slammed the government over how long it is taking to increase the limit, declaring the delays are costing businesses money.

“I can’t see why it can’t be done straight away,” Business NSW chief executive Paul Nicolaou said. He called on TfNSW to raise the speed limit “ASAP”, rather than waiting for another review.

Road Freight NSW chief executive Simon O’Hara said truck companies would get an immediate boost from increasing the speed limit by 10km/h.

“Freight operators would see an immediate bump in terms of productivity,” he said.

“That extra 10km/h increase … would deliver for the freight industry and for the community.”

He said the change should be implemented before the Christmas rush.

The Telegraph understands that any closures of WestConnex for testing would be done at night to minimise disruption.

Opposition roads spokeswoman Natalie Ward accused the Premier of being “all spin and no action” on the road.

Roads Minister John Graham said raising the speed limit must be done “safely”.

“I look forward to increasing the speed limits in the WestConnex tunnels,” he said.