THE minimum speed limit on the Northern Distributor Road could rise to 80km/h if councillors support a proposal on Tuesday.
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Councillor Russell Turner will move to raise speed limits from 70km/h to 80km/h between Molong Road and Ophir Road and from 80km/h to 100km/h east of the Ophir Road intersection.
Cr Turner said he understood speed limits were due to be reviewed once motorists became used to the road.
“This particular section [east of Ophir Road] is two kilometres long and there’s no farm gates or houses,” he said.
“There’s the Icely Road intersection, but there’s no reason to limit that section to 80.”
He said motorists would benefit from the changes.
“It’s very difficult, especially at peak period, to sit on 80 - most people travel at least at 90 in my experience,” he said.
“People say this is ridiculous and it should be 100 - it’s an open highway.”
Cr Turner said the motion would also need support from Roads and Maritime Services staff, but he was quietly confident the department would agree with the proposal.
He did not believe noise would become an issue, saying the road closest to houses would be limited to 80km/h and already featured sound barriers.