Road works ‘driving us crazy’

Erin Pearson
GEELONG road work speed zones are driving motorists crazy, according to Independent readers.
They have used the paper’s Facebook page to pinpoint zones causing frustration after State Government introduced new laws banning road works speed reductions of more than 20km/h below normal limits.
Inverleigh’s Nikki Dell cited the “Hamilton Highway just past the ring road heading towards Inverleigh”.
“It’s been 70km/h for ages. [The] road hasn’t even began to be fixed (and) it’s pretty much in dire need of being re-laid”.
Gheringhap’s Emily Dowling expressed concern about works at Belmont.
“[Near] Kmart there seems to be road works but every time I drive by there’s no one there,” she said.
“I never see anyone actually working. They’ve dropping the speed limit down to 40km/h.”
Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas said the new laws also penalised contractors for leaving out reduced-speed signs while work was not underway.
“We understand the frustration of motorists driving through road work zones when there is no work going on, which is why we’re introducing a code of practice that all contractors will have to adhere to or risk being excluded from bidding for future government-funded road projects,” he said.
“While recognising the need for roadwork speed limits, at times they are inappropriate for the type of works underway, are set out too far, or in some cases are left in place too long.”