Bringing motorists up to speed on the M5 South-West

[Nihat]

Westconnex confirmed to be 90 next year which will be the first metro road tunnel in the country to go above 80.

https://www.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/bringing-motorists-up-to-speed-on-m5-south-west

The speed limit eastbound on the M5 South-West between Belmore Road at Riverwood and King Georges Road at Beverly Hills will be returned to 100km/h from the current 80km/h limit next week, benefiting the journeys of 84,000 motorists a day.

The eastbound limit in the area had been reduced to 80km/h prior to the opening of the M8 in 2020 and will be restored by Tuesday.

The change comes as Transport for NSW prepares a number of improvements to the motorway network. The Rozelle Interchange – the final piece of WestConnex – will open by the end of the year and following that the WestConnex speed limit will be adjusted from 80km/h to 90km/h, expected in the first quarter of 2024.

Restoration of the 100km/h speed limit on the section Riverwood to Beverly Hills section of the M5 will mean an uninterrupted stretch of 20kms at the same, higher speed limit.

Work to alter speed signs will take place Monday night, weather permitting, to limit disruption for motorists and to ensure safety of workers.

Temporary lane closures and a reduced speed limit of 40km/h will apply during work.

The 100km/h speed limit between Belmore Road, and King Georges Road will be in effect on Tuesday 24 October, weather permitting. The on and off ramp speed at those entry and exit points will remain at 60km/h.

NSW Roads Minister, John Graham said:

‘We are taking the first step in our plan to get commuters home faster, as we speed up our motorways.

“Safety is always our number one priority and this change follows a rigorous safety review that found it is appropriate to raise the speed limit.

“The initial speed reduction was a temporary measure to mitigate potential safety risks caused by queuing traffic onto the motorway as motorists adjusted to the new part of the network.

“Over 84,000 motorists use the M5 eastbound each day, and this action will get motorists back up to speed on their daily commute.

“Where we can increase speed limits safely, we will look to do so, so that people can get to work, home or study faster. On the flipside, the NSW Government also works with community’s and local councils on lowering speed limits in the name of safety and amenity.”

[#130km/hforthehume]

Isn't the first metro road tunnel above 80 km/h the M2 tunnel near Epping?

[Nihat]

Sure. But that's quite short and standalone, I wasn't thinking of that one. 

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[AlienChex]

I hope they bump NorthConnex/M11 up to 90kmh next. It’s a straight tunnel with no exits, it should be 90.

I also think once the M7 is widened the section between M4 and M5 could be 110. Sydney is too conservative with speed limits and a lot of roads are too slow

[#130km/hforthehume]

I would still prefer a 100 km/h limit on Westlink M7. You can safely assume that induced demand especially post-2026 will result in too much traffic to safely drive 110 (and not with the stretch of aggressive drivers south of Elizabeth Dr).

Agree with M11/NCX, though.

[Nihat]

Certainly 100 on M7. Given the large amount of heavy vehicles and traffic volume on Northconnex I'm not sure that would be suitable for a 90 limit. Transport did a safety review for WestConnex which I'm not sure will be released publicly so we can only assume the reasons for the increase from the standard 80 across Australia on these long metro road tunnels  

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[Hubert Lam]

You'd be struggling to even reach 80 km/h on the M11 in the peaks 😅 

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[Hubert Lam]

I drove on the M5 west recently, and boy the lanes were no more wider than the silly section of the M4 between Coleman Street and the Prospect Highway.

Don't know why it's 100 km/h but it even in the off peak the lane widths certainly didn't make it feel comfortable doing 100 km/h.

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[Jason Kumar]

The westconnex tunnels were designed for 90km/h I believe,  so it makes sense to do it.  I recall there was a sign on the eastbound entrance to the M8 tunnel that said 90 before the tunnel opened (which was replaced with one that now says 80).

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[#130km/hforthehume]

Makes sense, since I've only driven on the M11 during off-peak hours.

[AlienChex]

M11 could be variable speed limits, made 80 during peak and 90 at all other times.