Commonsense roadwork speed limit change now in effect

NORTHERN Rivers motorists will no longer be required to slow to roadwork speed limits outside construction hours when it is safe to travel at normal speeds, under a new rule introduced by the state government.

The change, which took effect on Wednesday 1 July, updates how temporary speed limits are managed in roadwork zones across New South Wales.

Lismore MP Janelle Saffin said locals would welcome the adjustment, particularly given the extent of road repair work following flood damage.

“Our entire area could be called a construction zone with the large number of roads under repair due to the flood damage,” Saffin said.

“Thank goodness that they are funded from the federal-state government’s Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) as local councils could not otherwise afford them.

“I am forever on the road given that the Lismore Electorate covers over 16,000 square kilometres from Tenterfield to the Tweed Valley and dutifully stick to the speeds (not all do) in construction zones after hours or where no work is underway.

“Of course, you still have to use judgement and care based on the state of the road.”

The change delivers on an election commitment made by NSW Labor before the last election and removes what the government has described as one of the state’s most annoying road rules.

From 1 July, temporary speed limits in roadwork zones must now comply with a new standard developed by Transport for NSW, known as the Traffic Control at Work Sites (TCAWS) Standard.

The updated standard sets out how speed limits are to be applied at worksites to ensure safety while improving traffic flow when no construction activity is taking place.

Under the new rules, speed reductions in construction zones must be lifted during non-work hours where it is safe to do so.

If there are no workers on site and it is outside work hours, the road work speed limit will be increased as long as it is safe for motorists and pedestrians.

The change is designed to help motorists reach their destinations more efficiently while still maintaining safety for road users and pedestrians.

All drivers are still required to obey posted speed limits, including in roadwork areas where conditions may change.

The new standard has been published in the NSW Government Gazette and on the Transport for NSW Standards website.