WANNEROO Road’s speed limit will change to 80km/h following upgrades, but existing limits will remain on Hester Avenue and Connolly Drive.
Reader Stephen Hart contacted the Times with concerns about the “arbitrary” speed limits currently posted on Hester Avenue, Wanneroo Road and Connolly Drive.
“There doesn’t seem to be any logical pattern of speed limit,” the Nowergup resident said.
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READ NOWMr Hart said the posted limit was 70km/h around two “round snouts” on Hester but 60km/h along a new section of dual carriageway on Wanneroo Road.
He said the permanent speed limit on Connolly Drive remained 60km/h following recent works to widen it to a dual carriageway from Neerabup Road to Lukin Drive.
The Wanneroo Road speed limit has been 60km/h during works associated with the Mitchell Freeway extension.
However, Main Roads WA media manager Dean Roberts said Wanneroo Road would have a 80km/h limit between the Hester Avenue junction and Joondalup Drive.
Mr Roberts confirmed the limits for Hester Avenue and Connolly Drive were 70km/h and 60km/h respectively, and said Main Roads would review the limits if requested to do so by the City of Wanneroo.
“The setting of speed limits is based on speed zoning studies which are primarily concerned with the management of vehicle speeds in order to control traffic flow, maximise road capacity, minimise overtaking manoeuvres and reduce the level of crash risk for all road users,” he said.
“When these studies are undertaken by Main Roads, every effort is made by the agency to apply appropriate speed limits that are considered reasonable by the majority of motorists.
“Many factors are taken into account during the speed zoning process, including the road function, traffic volumes, types of road users, abutting roadside development, the frequency and type of intersections, reported crash data and prevailing traffic speeds.
“While Main Roads undertakes the approval, installation and maintenance of speed zone signs on local roads, it is at the request of the local government after it has performed a preliminary investigation.
“When they determine a change in speed limit is appropriate, council will submit a formal request to Main Roads for a review.
“Further investigation will be required to analyse the traffic data and evaluate the suggested change to ensure it is safe and viable for all road users.
“At this point in time, Main Roads has not been approached by the City of Wanneroo to review the speed limit on Connolly Drive or Hester Avenue.
“Wanneroo Road has recently been reviewed and a decision was taken to rationalise the speed limit between Hester Avenue and Joondalup Drive to 80km/h.”
The City’s assets director Harminder Singh said speed limits on all three roads have been reviewed by Main Roads and as part of independent road safety audits during recent upgrade works.
“The City is not considering a request for a review of the speed limits but will reassess the situation six months after the Mitchell Freeway extension is opened,” he said.
“The City has received a small number of complaints regarding the speed limit on Connolly Drive.
“This speed limit has been reviewed by (Main Roads) and as part of the Road Safety Audit process and was found to be consistent with the road environment.
“Hester Avenue and Wanneroo Road have been operating under roadworks conditions and permanent speed limits will be implemented once these works are complete.
“Speed is a critical factor in safety on our roads and the City encourages all motorists to respect the speed limit at all times.”
Mr Roberts said Main Roads had received two queries about the speed limit on Wanneroo Road and one regarding Connolly Drive.
He said the freeway extension from Burns Beach Road to Hester Avenue was due to open in early August, weather permitting.
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