A new advisory speed limit of 80 kilometres an hour and ‘rough surface’ signs were installed in late July on a section from Dennington to Illowa, including the passing lanes.

The Standard asked VicRoads when the rough surface would be fixed and speed limits returned to the usual 100 km/h.

VicRoads regional director Mark Koliba said keeping motorists safe on the roads was always its first priority. 

“While we’re getting on with planning for a long-term upgrade, a new temporary speed limit has been installed on a section of the Princes Highway to improve safety for people travelling between Illowa and Dennington,” Mr Koliba said.

VicRoads advised the advisory speed limit of 80km/h was installed on a five kilometre section of the Princes Highway.

VicRoads urged drivers to observe and obey any signed speed restrictions, and to drive to road and weather conditions. Warrnambool council data highlights the importance of the road connection between the city and Port Fairy.

The council is advocating for funding to improve the highway west of Colac.

It wants state government funding to prepare and implement a plan for the road network which, depending on the location and traffic volumes, could include duplication of the highway, more passing lanes or 2 plus 1 lanes.

Vehicle counts on the highway between Warrnambool and Port Fairy show 13,000 cars use the road each day. 

In December last year the council hired an independent engineer, who audited arterial (VicRoads managed) roads within the municipality’s boundaries.

The independent engineer’s report found some of the 1500 defects were of of a serious nature, needing urgent attention.

The Standard revealed in June south-west drivers were the most dissatisfied in the state when it came to management of major roads.

RACV research, commissioned for its submission to the Parliamentary inquiry into VicRoads’ management of country roads, quizzed 750 regional road users on the condition of the arterial network. Seventy-one per cent of respondents said road surface was the most dangerous concern, along with potholes (65 per cent), narrow roads (39 per cent) and poor road edges (33 per cent).

In January former Premier Jeff Kennett labelled some south-west roads a 'national disgrace'. He said roads needed to be up to scratch to serve tourists and local drivers. A report from the auditor-general released in mid-2017 found south-west roads were some of the worst in the state.