Speed limits to be increased to 100km/hr on Tullamarine Freeway during off-peak times

Motorists will be able to travel at 100km/hr during off-peak periods on the Tullamarine Freeway as part of a new trial.

The speed limit was capped at 80km/hr during the CityLink Tulla Widening Project.

Project director at VicRoads Mick McCarthy told Neil Mitchell the trial would begin in March for six months.

“What we’ve been doing is using the existing road reserve to implement the new lanes, which has meant we have had the speed down at 80km/hr while we’ve had barriers down there,” Mr McCarthy said.

“And what we’ve seen since we’ve opened up the new lanes is a significant improvement on travel times.

“Now we are point where we are ready to trial lifting that speed in off-peak periods.”

Neil Mitchell said it was a win for common sense.

In December, the RACV called on the state government to review the speed limit and encouraged the road authority to look at flexible speed limits on the busy arterial.

The cap also attracted criticism from frustrated motorists, including former footballer Dane Swan.

Can someone explain to me why the 5 lane Tullamarine freeway is 80km an hour. Absolutely ridiculous it is. The world/melbourne has gone mad

— Dane Swan (@swandane) January 28, 2018

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Photo: Penny Stephens, Fairfax