Pyrenees Highway Speed Change Amended

Speed zone changes made on the Pyrenees Highway earlier this year were reviewed in consultation with Victoria Police and considered factors including road users, the surrounding road environment, crash risk, and speed zone consistency.

The review found a 50km/h speed zone between Castlemaine and Chewton appropriately addressed road safety needs, but 80km/h is a safer speed for the stretch of road between White Gum Track and Mitchell Street in Chewton.

Crews will be onsite today to install new speed signs reflecting the change.

Speed reviews occur frequently across the road network, with the Department considering a range of factors, including types of road users, the surrounding road environment, crash risk and history, and community sentiment.

Anthony Judd, Executive Director of Loddon Mallee and Hume reiterated that this change is part of ongoing speed limit reviews across the region and that all speed adjustments are assessed in line with Victoria’s speed zone guidelines.

“Our road safety experts set speed limits based on robust evidence, and safety is always our priority,” Mr Judd said.

“In this instance, we’ve made a call to lift the speed limit after a review of the area indicated it was safe to do so.”

In February this year, a 50 km/h speed zone was implemented along a 6.4km stretch of the Pyrenees Highway between White Gum Track in Chewton and Castlemaine, replacing a mix of 50, 60 and 80km/h speed limits.

A 50km/h speed limit will remain along the Pyrenees Highway between a point just south of Mitchell Street in Chewton and Castlemaine.

Mr Judd asked drivers to familiarise themselves with the new speed limit when driving between White Gum Track and Mitchell Street in Chewton.

“Everyone has a role to play in road safety and to share the road safely – adjust your driving to the conditions, look out for each other and avoid distractions.”