CHANGES to the speed limit at Calder Highway and Calder Alternate Highway came into effect yesterday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The speed limit has changed from 100km to 80km near Ravenswood at the intersection of the Melbourne-bound Calder Highway and south-bound Calder Alternate Highway.
The intersection has been notoriously high risk with a number of traffic collisions occuring there in recent years.
Motorists approaching this high risk intersection, particularly from the Calder Alternative Highway leg, will now be required to drive in a much lower speed environment over a longer distance.
The reduced speed limits are a practical road safety solution that provide a balance between safety and mobility until the new Ravenswood Interchange is completed in late 2017.
Additional safety improvements are planned to be introduced over the coming weeks in the vicinity of the intersection, including new rumble strips, new electronic message signs and more prominent signage.
VicRoads regional director Mal Kersting said that in the lead up to the Christmas break, there would be more interstate motorists travelling through the intersection.
“I’m asking locals and regular users of both highways to take extra caution approaching the intersection and obey the traffic changes," he said.
“I want everyone to get to where they’re going over the holidays safely."
Speed limit changes to the south-bound roads follow on from speed limit changes to the north-bound part of the highway in February this year.
When the changes were implemented in February, VicRoads said it was the most practical solution to reducing the ongoing safety concern around the Ravenswood intersection. At the time Mr Kersting said there was a concerning number of crashes and near misses at the site.
"There is evidence of skid marks near this intersection where vehicles travelling toward Bendigo have had to brake suddenly to avoid vehicles travelling from the Marong direction," he said in February.
Regular users of both highways to take extra caution approaching the intersection and obey the traffic changes.
- VicRoads regional director Mal Kersting
"This is despite the fact that there have been a range of safety improvements implemented over the last few years."
The speed limits are expected to remain in place until upgrades to the interchange are complete.
For more information visit www.vicroads.vic.gov.au