Speed zone reduction on Rugby and Narrawa roads between Boorowa and Narrawa
Motorists will soon experience safer journeys between Boorowa and Narrawa with a reduced speed limit of 80 km/h to come into place this month on Rugby and Narrawa roads.
Transport recently completed a review in response to concerns from NSW Police and Hilltops Council about the current 100 km/h speed zone. Additionally, Rugby Road was identified as a route of concern by Transport and therefore a priority for review.
A speed zone review is a comprehensive process that includes site inspections, analysis of the current road environment and road condition, consideration of crash data and traffic volumes.
A Transport spokesperson said the review of Rugby and Narrawa roads found the existing speed zone did not meet the requirements for a 100km/h speed zone as set out in the NSW speed zoning standard.
A crash analysis of the entire length of the review showed a crash rate significantly above that expected of a rural regional road. The section between Boorowa and Little Plains Road had a high proportion of these crashes.
As a result, the speed limit will change to 80 km/h on Rugby and Narrawa roads for 43 kilometres from Boorowa to approximately 100 metres east of the Lachlan River Bridge.
The new speed limit will add about five minutes to travel times for motorists travelling the entire route.
The speed zone review was carried out to ensure speed limits are in line with the NSW Speed Zoning Standard, applying the Safe System approach.
The Safe System approach has been adopted by all Australian jurisdictions to support road safety outcomes in jurisdictional and national road safety action plans.
“Electronic message signs will be installed before and after the changes come into effect and there will be community notices via local councils to advise motorists of the new speed limit,” the spokesperson said.
“Speed limits are set to ensure motorists travel at a safe and appropriate speed for the surrounding road environment, and to allow time for drivers travelling at the limit to detect potential hazards and respond by braking effectively.
“We thank the community for its understanding.”
The new speed zone will be in effect from Monday 25 August 2025, weather permitting.
Motorists are advised to drive to the conditions and follow the directions of signs and traffic control during the installation of signs.