NSW election 2023: Premier Dominic Perrottet pledges to make WestConnex faster

The speed limit of a major Sydney motorway could be lifted, with plans to also implement the change on other major roads.

Sydney’s WestConnex motorway could have its speed limit lifted from 80km/hour to 90km/h in an election promise that the government believes would save businesses money and time.

It’s estimated the shake-up could reduce commutes by up to 18 minutes every week, plus inject more than $80m into the state economy through productivity gains.

Although the election promise is dependent on a final safety review by Transport for NSW, the motorway, which connects Homebush and Kingsgrove, was built to accommodate a 90km/h speed limit.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said it would also boost productivity for small business owners and tradies, with around $10m lost every year due to congestion.

“I’ll say this: Time is money, and if we get tradies to work faster, that means they can get home sooner but ultimately spend more time at work,” he said on Monday.

“Western Sydney is the engine room of the state’s economy and WestConnex is already providing a major boost to the region by supporting jobs and keeping people and freight moving,” said Mr Perrottet.

“Increasing the speed limit in WestConnex would mean drivers spend less time on the road and more time doing the things most important to them.”

The Premier said the speed limit boost would result in time and productivity savings. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Damian Shaw

Roads Minister Natalie Ward stressed that safety would still remain the “No.1 priority”.

“That will always be factored into the effort to reduce travel times around the Sydney road network,” she said.

“Keeping people moving on our motorways is critical, with congestion costing the economy billions of dollars through lost productivity every year.”

NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury said the road association backed the decision to increase the road limit, once safety considerations are factored.

“The speed limit on the road should be based on performance and not on some arbitrary approach, and that’s what the Premier is calling for,” he said.

“It’s important that we allow experts in the department to do their work.”

As cost-of-living pressures increase, both parties have striven to cement their toll policy in the lead-up to the March 25 poll. Mr Perrottet introduced a 40 per cent rebate of up to $750 for drivers who spend more than $375 on tolls in one financial year.

NSW Labor say it will continue the rebate, plus introduce a $60 weekly toll cap,

The opposition has also promised an overhaul of the tolling network led by Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) chairman, Allan Fels.