The promise will need final approval from Transport for NSW, and if the Liberal government win the election it will direct the body to review all 80km/h roads in the state and increase the speed to 90 where it’s safe to do so.
“Increasing the speed limit in WestConnex would mean drivers spend less time on the road and more time doing the things most important to them,” Perrottet said today.
“This will make a real difference to the everyday lives of people across our city, but particularly in the west, and is only possible under the Liberal and Nationals which have the long-term economic plan to keep NSW moving forward.”
9News understands NSW Labor Leader Chris Minns would also move forward with the plan to raise the speed limit if he wins the election.
“Increasing the WestConnex speed limit makes sense and a good idea is a good idea,” Minns said.
Roads Minister Natalie Ward said WestConnex was built to accommodate vehicles travelling at 90 km/h, and safety is paramount.
”The first step is a review because safety is our number one priority and that will always be factored into the effort to reduce travel times around the Sydney road network,” Ward said.
The NRMA said it welcomed the decision to review the speed on WestConnex and the wider road network.
“Speed limits should be evidence based, the should be backed by data and research,” spokesperson Peter Khoury said.
“We want out roads to be safe and also efficient. We know the WestConnex is one of the safest roads in the country it performs extremely well.
“It was built for 90km/h,” he added.
Recommendations from the review will be delivered to the government by the end of 2023.