Motorists will soon experience safer journeys between the Hume Highway at Marulan and the Illawarra Highway at Sutton Forest.
Transport for NSW recently completed a review of speed zones along Main Road 569, which includes Highland Way, Penrose Road and Exeter Road and passes through Tallong, Wingello, Penrose, Exeter and Bundanoon.
A speed zone review is a comprehensive process that includes site inspections, analysis of the current road environment and condition, and consideration of crash data and traffic volumes.
There were 16 reported crashes in the five-year period from June 2019 to June 2024, a rate above that expected for rural-regional roads. Ten of these crashes were on curves, with speed identified as a contributing factor.
In NSW, speed limit reductions are part of a Safe System approach to reduce the risk and severity of crashes. Research shows that when speed limits are set appropriately for local conditions, they can reduce crashes, save lives and prevent serious injuries.
As a result of the review, the speed limit will be reduced from 100 km/h to 80 km/h in sections along Highland Way, Penrose Road and Exeter Road between the Hume Highway at Marulan and Illawarra Highway at Sutton Forest.
The speed limit will also be reduced from 60 km/h to 50 km/h for 1.4 kilometres on Exeter Road at Bundanoon, from Rosenthal Avenue to north of the intersection with Yuille Avenue.
There will also be minor extensions of the existing 50 km/h speed zones at Bundanoon, Penrose and Wingello.
A Transport for NSW spokesperson said the speed changes will provide more consistency and improve safety along the narrow winding roads, taking into account roadside hazards and increased pedestrian and cyclist activity in the townships.
“Speed limits are set to ensure motorists travel at a safe and appropriate speed for the road environment, giving drivers travelling at the limit time to detect hazards and brake effectively,” the spokesperson said.
“Transport carried out the review in response to inconsistent speed limits in the area. Local councils and state members were consulted throughout the process.
“The new speed limits will add about three minutes to travel time for motorists travelling the entire 43-kilometre route.
“We thank the community for their understanding.”
Work to install new signs will begin on Monday 18 May and is expected to take five days to complete, weather permitting.
Motorists are advised to drive to the conditions and follow the directions of traffic control during sign installation.
Electronic message signs will be in place two weeks before work starts and one week after the new speed limits take effect.
