Decision close on speed limit increase for Princes Freeway

ROADS Minister Luke Donnellan will have enough information within “weeks” to decide if a 110km/h speed limit on the Princes Freeway will go ahead, the VicRoads boss says.

In one of his first acts as VicRoads boss, Michael Malouf looked into the authority’s analysis of the possible speed increase. “I felt it needed more work and it definitely needed more work by an independent assessor,” Mr Malouf said.

But he would not reveal which aspects of the speed limit review he wanted more information on.

“(The report) didn’t satisfy me that it covered all the issues that should have been covered. (So) independent assessment of that is being commissioned,” he said. “I’m confident that within a few weeks I will have a report to go to the (Roads) Minister (Luke Donnellan) and my understanding is that he’ll be ready to make a decision after he gets that information.”

In March, Mr Donnellan said VicRoads would complete another safety review after the Princes Freeway wire rope barrier upgrade was completed.

VicRoads says the install- ation of 73km of wire rope barriers between Laverton North and Waurn Ponds along the freeway was completed in June.

Mr Donnellan said: “We’re doing the work to make sure that, if the limit is to be raised, it doesn’t cost lives.”

In February, the State Opposition committed to increasing the freeway speed limit between Werribee and Corio to 110km/h if it wins the Novem- Novem ber election. Opposition roads spokesman David Hodgett said the Australian Road Assessment Program, run by the Australian Automobile Association and state and territory motoring clubs, ranks the section of highway as low risk and reported it as among the top 10 safest sections of freeway in Australia.

The RACV has supported raising the speed limit but the Transport Accident Commis- Commis sion has opposed it, saying it would risk increasing the road toll.

A survey into the issue commissioned by South Barwon MP Andrew Katos showed more than 80 per cent of respondents supported lifting the freeway speed limit to 110km/h between Winchelsea and Werribee. Mr Malouf said his position meant he could not have a personal view on the matter.