RACV calls for review of speed limits on Tullamarine Freeway

VICTORIA’S peak motor body has called on the Andrews Government to review speed limits on the Tullamarine Freeway, with cars to be capped at 80kmh, even after major upgrades are finished.

VICTORIA’S peak motor body has called on the Andrews Government to review speed limits on the Tullamarine Freeway, with cars to be capped at 80kmh, even after major upgrades are finished.

Speed zones on the busy arterial have been restricted during the CityLink Tulla Widening Project but after works are complete they will be permanently cut for about 80 per cent of the freeway.

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Digital signs will alter speed restrictions during peak hour and enforce a maximum limit of 80kmh between Power St and Melrose Drive. Speeds of 100kmh will still be permitted on the remaining 5.5km stretch between Melrose Drive and Melbourne Airport.

But RACV general manager of public policy Bryce Prosser said evidence showed more flexible speed limits were useful on busy roads.

Speed limits on the Tullamarine Freeway have been capped during roadworks.

“RACV supports variable speed limits across the freeway network, made possible by technology developments,” he said.

“This year we saw a successful trial of variable speed limits of up to 100kmh along the Monash Freeway, and once all road upgrades are complete, it would be sensible to conduct a similar trial along the Tullamarine Freeway. This would then allow for drivers to drive at the ideal speed for the traffic environment.”

The $1.3 billion widening project is scheduled to finish early next year and when complete will add extra lanes for the 210,000 motorists who use the CityLink Tullamarine corridor every day.

When the 80kmh limit was first announced, roads authorities said speeds had to be restricted because emergency lanes would be lost during the road upgrades.

But Mr Prosser said modern technology could resolve this concern.

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The freeway is currently being widened. Picture: Nicole Garmston

“Dynamic speed limits as well as lane use management systems allow for speed limits to be reduced or lanes to be closed when a crash occurs, and therefore can provide enhanced safety when emergency lanes do not otherwise exist,” he said.

Actings Roads Minister Philip Dalidakis said the widening project would improve peak-hour travel times up to 30 minutes for a return trip from the CBD to the airport.

“New state-of-the-art overhead gantries will allow road operators to better manage traffic — delivering more reliable journey times, less congestion, improved safety, and faster response times to incidents,” he said.

“The best available evidence suggests that maintaining the current speed will significantly reduce crashes without impacting on peak hour travel times.”

VicRoads’ CityLink-Tulla Widening project director Michael Mccarthy said the existing speed limit had been set with safety as a key priority.

“VicRoads is continuing to work with Transurban to explore whether the speed limit can be lifted outside peak hours under the right road, traffic and weather conditions,” he said.

“Safety and efficiency will be major considerations before any changes are made.”

A CityLink spokeswoman confirmed the speed limit was currently set to remain at 80kmh, but authorities would consider alternatives.

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