Temporary Speed Limit Introduced on Raymond Terrace Road

Thornton drivers will soon face a reduced speed limit along Raymond Terrace Road as part of a safety initiative tied to ongoing intersection upgrades. Maitland City Council is overseeing the transition to new traffic signals at the intersection of Government and Raymond Terrace roads, with the left turn into Government Road currently closed for eastbound traffic.

Transport for NSW has responded to local concerns by implementing a temporary speed reduction around Haussman Drive, a move aimed at easing congestion and improving road safety. This follows a community request for a review of the Raymond Terrace and Haussman Drive intersection, pending a broader upgrade.

A Transport for NSW spokesperson emphasised the importance of prioritising safety for both motorists and the local community.

“Electronic signs will be installed today to alert drivers about the upcoming changes. These signs will remain in place for several weeks after the new limit takes effect,” the spokesperson said.

“Roads are not only thoroughfares for vehicles; they’re also part of the community landscape. When setting speed limits, we factor in the safety and comfort of both road users and local residents.”

The revised speed limit will drop from 80km/h to 60km/h for a stretch of 1.57 kilometres between 300 metres west of Haussman Drive and 690 metres west of Government Road. This temporary change, expected to add just 23 seconds to the average trip, will remain in effect until the traffic signals at the Government and Raymond Terrace roads intersection are fully operational.

Transport for NSW conducted a thorough review in line with the NSW Speed Zoning Standard and the Safe System Approach, which aims to reduce crashes by accounting for human error. The review was motivated by crash data showing four injury accidents involving vehicles turning out of Haussman Drive over the past five years.

In addition to the temporary limit, Maitland City Council has flagged future upgrades to the Raymond Terrace Road and Haussman Drive intersection, contingent on funding availability. These upgrades are part of broader improvements to the Thornton Road Network.

Work to install new speed zone signage begins today, with the reduced speed limit taking effect in two weeks. Drivers are urged to follow the directions of traffic control and adhere to the new speed limit.

For more information or to suggest future speed reviews, residents can visit the Safer Roads NSW portal.