THE speed limit on the eastern fringes of Warrnambool will be lowered as part of a statewide push to reduce confusion for motorists.
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The 70km/h zone on the Princes Highway will be extended between the Mahoneys Road and Horne Road intersection, through to Staffords Road and Rowans Lane. The changes will mean the speed limit will be the same on both sides of the dual carriageway on the approach to and exit from the city.
The extension of the 70km/h zone comes despite a state government review recommending 70 and 90 km/h zones be abolished.
Premier and member for South West Coast Denis Napthine said the decision to make the change was part of the review’s recommendation to reduce the number of speed limit changes along short sections of road to make it easier for motorists to comply.
At the moment, the speed limit on the eastbound lanes of the highway changes to 100km/h just after the Deakin University entrance.
Westbound lanes of the highway drop from 100km/h to 90km/h just before the university entrance, then drop again from 90km/h to 70km/h before the Mahoneys Road intersection.
The change on the Princes Highway is just one in a raft of alterations to speed zones around the region announced yesterday.
Dr Napthine also announced the speed limit would drop from 70 km/h to 60km/h on the Hopkins Highway, Warrnambool, between Whites Road and Wangoom Road, on the Princes Highway at Narrawong between Orchards Road and Boyers Road, on the Hamilton Highway through the Caramut township and on the Caramut-Warrnambool Road through Mailors Flat, Winslow.
The speed limit in front of the Woolsthorpe Primary School will also be lowered, with the Warrnambool-Caramut Road to be lowered to 60km/h south of Lanman Street
The speed limit will be raised from 70km/h to 80km/h in Woolsthorpe north of Lanman Street, while the Portland-Nelson Road between School Road and Cockatoo Valley Road will drop from 90km/h to 80km/h.
The changes won’t affect school zones.
Dr Napthine said even though the Victorian Speed Limit Review recommended 70km/h and 90km/h zones be abolished, drivers shouldn’t expect the zones to disappear immediately.
“On this occasion it has been decided that changing the speed in these locations will deliver a more logical and consistent speed zone, keeping speeds appropriate for the area,” he said. The new limits will be enforced once signage is installed.
