110km/h speed limit trial on Kwinana Freeway

• Speed limit increase from Mandjoogoordap Drive to just south of Safety Bay Road

The maximum speed limit on the new section of Kwinana Freeway will be lifted to 110km/h for a three-month trial period.

Transport Minister Troy Buswell said the trial, to begin in early March, was in response to a review of driver behaviour by Main Roads WA and community requests for a higher posted speed limit.

"The high standard of the freeway appears to lend itself to a higher tolerable maximum speed, and this trial will determine if a 110km/h limit is appropriate and if it better reflects the actual operating speed of this section of the freeway," Mr Buswell said.

"The maximum speed on the freeway from Mandjoogoordap Drive to the Lakes Road turnoff was increased to 110km/h in 2010, giving road users a steady maximum cruising speed of 110km/h from the major entrance to Mandurah, southwards onto the new Forrest Highway and into Bunbury.

"Speed compliance and crash data will be monitored throughout the trial to determine its success, and I encourage motorists to travel responsibly, as this will be a major factor in the outcome of the trial."

The posted speed limit will be increased from 100km/h to 110km/h from Mandjoogoordap Drive to just south of Safety Bay Road.

The Minister said the State Government was not considering increasing the maximum speed limit on other sections of Kwinana Freeway or other parts of the freeway network which carried higher volumes of traffic.

      Fact File

• Perth-Bunbury Highway project opened in September 2009
• 32km of new Kwinana Freeway connecting to 38km of Forrest Highway
• Up to 14,000 vehicles per day use Forrest Highway
• Up to 45,000 vehicles per day use Kwinana Freeway south of Safety Bay Road

Minister's office - 6552 6400