On Tuesday, the council revealed the ‘60 Road Work’ signs would likely remain in place for a few weeks yet.

The delay has been brought about by the legal requirement for council to satisfy the terms of an agreement it has with Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) to complete the work on the state road.

“As part of the works, the RMS require a road safety audit on the completed works prior to the ‘reduce speed’ signs being removed and the normal speed limit being returned,” a spokesperson for the council said.

“Council has received the audit and it has been sent through to the appointed project verifier (Northrop) last week. This will be reviewed by the project verifier and forwarded to the RMS for their approval.”

But it doesn’t end there.

“Council will also be required to obtain ‘practical completion’ from the RMS before the normal speed limit is returned. This is expected to be received within the coming weeks,” the spokesperson said. 

A spokesperson for Roads and Maritime Services said the RMS had entered into a contractual agreement with council to allow the council to upgrade the road as part of the redevelopment of the Awaba Waste Management Facility.

“For the safety of motorists the agreement requires the council to satisfactorily complete the road work, carry out a road safety audit, and have an independent verifier, in this case Northrop, certify the work before final acceptance by Roads and Maritime,” the spokesperson said.

“The reduced speed limits are required to remain in place until the final acceptance.”           

In February, the council called on motorists to obey the reduced speed limits at the work site in the wake of two accidents and some near misses.