THE Roads and Maritime Services’ (RMS) decision to lift the speed limit on the Mitchell Highway to 100km/h near the Northern Distributor Road turn-off is “baffling”, according to Orange City councillor Glenn Taylor.
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Cr Taylor said raising the speed limit from 80 to 100km/h would prove hazardous for drivers using both roads.
“An increase in the speed limit will only increase the danger,” Cr Taylor said.
“I saw a near miss there the other week when a semi-trailer driver was trying to turn onto the distributor.
“I’m fearful there’ll l be an accident there.”
Cr Taylor said he would like to see a roundabout installed at the site to manage the traffic flow.
He said he campaigned to have roundabout installed at the intersection of Molong Road and the Northern Distributor and that had proved a hit with drivers.
“I think we were vindicated in that case,” he said.
Cr Taylor said he would put forward a motion at the next Orange City Council meeting to have the speed limit and road conditions in the area reassessed.
“This needs to be a priority, council needs to start negotiations to get a roundabout installed,” he said.
Fellow councillor Jason Hamling confirmed speed limits on the highway were decided by the RMS.
“The 80 km/h speed zone around the highway-bypass intersection east of Orange was in place while it was a construction zone,” he said.
“The new lights have now been installed and the RMS has removed that 80 km/h limit.”
Cr Hamling said he put forward two motions previously, which were adopted, asking the RMS for a review of those speed zones.
“I believe the 80 zone should start east of the bypass intersection and stretch all the way to the spot on the highway near Bunnings where the 50 zone starts,” he said.
“It might take drivers a few extra minutes to get into Orange, but I believe it will be a lot safer for car and trucks turning on and off that busy bypass corner.”
tracey.prisk@fairfaxmedia.com.au
