One of the main routes into the town, past truck stops and through Warrenheip to Woodmans Hill, the area is also home to an industrial precinct, accommodation, a market, and a mini-golf course with a hidden cabaret bar.

Recent attention is focused on the western end of the city, with the Ballarat West Employment Zone and plans to complete the second phase of the Ballarat Link Road, between the freeway and the Midland Highway, taking precedence for funding and lobbying efforts.

The City of Ballarat referred questions on improvements to the precinct to VicRoads, however the 2015 Woodmans Hill Gateway Precinct Master Plan proposed a rezoning of some of the area near the exit from Mixed Use to Rural Living, and with "potential future development" marked for an area north of the freeway.

VicRoads' Regional Roads Victoria western regional director Mal Kersting said the organisation would work "closely with the Ballarat community to assess opportunities for future improvements to suit the changing needs of local drivers" in the area.

The current speed limit, at 80kmh from Greene Road to the Ballarat exit, is expected to be maintained, as it has been determined as appropriate for this section of the freeway due to the number of uncontrolled access points.

"Speed limits need to strike the right balance between safety and traffic flow - considering factors such as crash history, road user types and the number of access points along the route," Mr Kersting said.

"We're always looking for ways to build a safer, more reliable network for everyone who travels on our roads each and every day."

The BP service station on the west-bound lane was closed for restoration works, including on its fuel system, and is expected to reopen in June with a full truck canopy, a BP spokesperson said.

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