Truckies using Wollar Road in NSW’s mid-west will need to observe a reduced speed limit between Ulan Road and Bylong Valley Way from Tuesday, November 19.
As a result of the speed zone review, the existing 100 km/h speed limit extending from 20 kilometres east of the Ulan Road and Wollar Road intersection and passing through the Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve to Wollar will be reduced to 80 km/h, a distance of 18.7 kilometres.
The change will add less than three minutes to travel time but will significantly improve safety for motorists, said Transport for NSW.
Transport for NSW acting regional director west, Holly Davies, said the review assessed a number of factors including location, crash history, road environment, the number of access points, road usage, traffic mix and traffic volumes, and recommended lower speed limits for the route.
“The review area of Wollar Road, along with the eastern portion of Bylong Valley Way, forms the shortest route between Mudgee and the Golden Highway for road users travelling between the Hunter Valley and Newcastle in the east,” Davies said.
“This route is favoured by heavy vehicle operators and there is significant heavy vehicle and commuter traffic to and from various mine and industry sites.
“The road features several vertical crests and sags that impact sight distances for motorists, and several curves that require motorists to significantly reduce their speed to comfortably navigate them.”
TfNSW said further comprehensive studies and consultation along the remaining stretches of Wollar Road will inform any future speed changes.