The Victorian Government has announced it will be cracking down on inappropriate roadwork speed limits across the state. In a statement, Victorian Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas said he understood lower speed limits in roadworks were important for the protection of workers and to provide safe conditions for motorists and the road crews. However, he also stated signage was left in place too long and not removed at the end of the day.
“Across the state the Brumby Labor Government is delivering the largest ever program of road improvements and upgrades, thanks to the many projects underway as part of a $38 billion Victorian Transport Plan,” said Minister Pallas. “As a result drivers are much more likely to be travelling through roadworks sites with reduced speed limits in place to provide safer conditions for them and for road crews.
“We understand the frustration of road users driving through roadworks zone when there is no work going on, which is why we are introducing a Code of Practice that all contractors will have to adhere to or risk being excluded from bidding for future government funded road projects. While recognising the need for roadwork speed limits, at times they are inappropriate for the type of works underway, set out too far, or in some cases left in place too long.”
The new Traffic Management Code of Practice comes into effect on September 1, 2010. The new code calls for electronic messaging to be displayed on long term freeway work to explain the reasons for the lower speed limits.
There must be exceptional circumstances for roadwork speed limits to be set more than 20km/h below the normal speed limit for that stretch of road.
VicRoads will increase its scrutiny of contractors to make sure work hours and speed signage meet the new criteria. Contractors failing to meet the new rules will be excluded from future bidding for Victorian Government road projects.
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