The speed limit on the Gungahlin Drive Extension is to be lifted from 80 to 90km/h after a study found that the change would only have a less than two decibel impact on noise levels in Aranda.
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Chief Minister and Territory and Municipal Services Katy Gallagher will today announce that the new speed limit on the GDE will come into effect on March 10.
"A review has considered the road design and road safety characteristics of the GDE as well as the outcome of noise surveys at various sites along the GDE corridor. This report recommended that the speed limit be revised to 90 km/h," Ms Gallagher said.
The new speed limit will cover the section of the GDE between the Barton Highway interchange through to the Glenloch interchange.
It will also include the connection ramps from Tuggeranong Parkway to William Hovell Drive; the City bound connection ramps and the William Hovell City-bound ramp.
"A letter will be sent to Aranda residents informing them of the outcome of the review and the noise studies over the coming days and variable message boards will also be erected on approaches to the GDE to help inform motorists of the change," Ms Gallagher said.
The GDE was designed for a speed limit of 100km/h but the limit was kept at 80km/h because of noise concerns held by some Aranda residents.
Ms Gallagher said noise measurements were undertaken in late 2011 and early this year at several locations in Aranda.
These results were compared to those from monitoring undertaken at the same locations prior to construction and again after the opening of stage one of GDE.
These measurements found very little change in noise at each location and all noise levels were below the ACT traffic noise guidelines.
"Modelling was undertaken which showed that, for any property where GDE was the dominant source of road traffic noise, it would increase by less than two decibels if the speed limit was increased to 90 km/h and the traffic volume increased, which is below the ACT traffic noise guidelines" Ms Gallagher said.
The review concluded that the GDE had had little or no impact on traffic noise in surrounding areas.
"In fact, many locations are slightly quieter now than before the construction of the GDE due to the extensive noise mitigation measures, such as mounds and barriers, which were included in the project," Ms Gallagher said.
The GDE duplication was opened n October last year after being delayed by a dramatic bridge collapse.
The first stage of the controversial road was completed in 2008 after major delays caused by protests and court injunctions.
