Photo credit: AS 1979 via Creative Commons
There is a proposal to increase to the speed limit at night on CityLink between the Domain Tunnel and the Toorak Road.
The plan, part of the negotiations between Transurban and the Andrews’ government, is to increase the speed limit to100km/h to improve traffic flow at one of the busiest stretches of CityLink.
This section of road currently has an around-the-clock speed limit of 80km/h. The push for higher speed only targets overnight off-peak times between 8pm and 6am.
A regular commuter on the CityLink Harry Tsai says the proposal is a “baby step” towards driving improvements.
“Driving to the city from my south-eastern suburb home everyday, I cannot believe I pay $8 for the toll and still find myself just driving at 60km/h or slower and sometimes even caught in the traffic jam. I think it’s the 80km/h speed limit close to city that causes the problems.
“If government wants to reap more benefit of toll revenue, they should increase the speed limit to 100/km all the way and at all times to ease peak hour traffic. After all ,who is going to pay the toll if the toll free roads can get you there just as fast during the night,” Mr Tsai says.
Transurban is also negotiating with the State Government over the proposal for a new western distributor road, including possible improvements to the Monash Freeway.
“I feel like there should be more lanes on the road especially in the tunnel, and more overhead lane control signs could help drivers changing lanes and merging so that a lot of crashes can be avoided,” Mr Tsai says.
The state government is yet to accept the proposal but says that anything might help the road conditions is welcomed.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews told 3AW the project is “very exciting” and the government is getting close to finalise it.
“The western distributor – the proper link between the West Gate freeway and Tullamarine freeway linking to the Port Melbourne – is of critical benefit of that Monash corridor,” Mr Andrews says.
Premier says boosting speed limit to 100 on Monash (CityLink section) would be good #springst
— Matt Johnston (@Media_Matt) July 21, 2015
A new managed motorway and crash response system on the Monash Freeway is also being considered to reduce the time it takes to clear crashes and vehicle breakdowns.
“It is very frustrating when an accident happens ahead when you are rushing to work in the morning,” Mr Tsai says.
