In response to crash history and community concerns, new speed limits will come into play this week along a busy route that sees over 27,000 vehicles a day.
Speed limits on the Great Western Highway through Wentworth Falls in the Blue Mountains will be reduced, effective Thursday December 5.
Transport for NSW (TfNSW) has conducted a speed zone review on the Great Western Highway from 100 metres west of Mitchell Street to the intersection with Old Bathurst Road.
TfNSW 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 changed speed limits for the route.
“The Great Western Highway as it passes through Wentworth Falls is a four-lane divided carriageway that carries more than 27,000 vehicle movements a day, including local, freight and tourist traffic travelling between Sydney and the state’s Central West,” she said.
“There is also significant pedestrian and cycle traffic within the 2.2-kilometre review section of highway, and access to two schools.”
In the five years to the end of 2022, there were 18 reported crashes along this stretch, including two fatal crashes and four serious injury crashes.
As a result of the review, the following speed changes are being put into place:
- The existing 80 km/h speed limit in the westbound lane of the Great Western Highway extending from 700 metres east of Station Street to 400 metres east of Station Street will be reduced to 60 km/h.
- The existing 60 km/h speed limit in the eastbound lane of the Great Western Highway extending from 200 metres east of Station Street to 300 metres east of Station Street will be increased to 80 km/h.
Blue Mountains City Council, local police and local schools have been consulted as part of the review and all support the changes.
New signage will be installed to advise motorists of the changes.