The Department of State Growth announced on Friday a 2.3-kilometre section of the Bass Highway between Chasm Creek and Heybridge would be reduced in both directions from 100 km/h to 90 km/h from this week.

"This speed limit reduction is estimated to add only nine seconds in travel time through this section," the department said in a statement.

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"Research tells us that even small reductions in travelling speeds can lead to a reduction in serious casualties."

The department said the decision was made based on crash history, road characteristics and the national standard for speed management.

"The Bass Highway carries high volumes of traffic and in the past five years there have been 33 vehicle crashes on this section of the road," the department said.

"The majority of these were single vehicle loss-of-control crashes."

Leith resident Jenny Rockliff said she was at a loss as to how the change could be implemented so quickly when they had been "actively calling for a permanent speed limit reduction in the vicinity of our junctions for many, many years".

"We have tried to lobby to have the speed limit decreased and I have letter from various ministers saying, 'We cant reduce the speed limit', and then they go and do it there [at Chasm Creek]," she said.

"We are going to keep at this until we get a sensible decision.

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"In the meantime, residents are suffering physically and mentally from the anguish this delayed action and threat of loss of their homes and lifestyle at Leith is taking."

Infrastructure minister Michael Ferguson said an infrastructure solution had not succeeded between Chasm Creek and Heybridge and another option was not possible.

He recognised there were residents for and against the proposed overpass at Leith.

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Mr Ferguson said road users who don't live at Leith in particular "are quite reluctant to see the highway slowed unnecessarily when an infrastructure treatment might in fact do the trick".

"There are a range of options that have been consulted, not just for the Leith community but for the whole of the North-West community that use the section of the Bass highway at Leith," he said.

"We appreciate that some people don't want to lose their home and that is why we are being so sensitive and careful as we consulted."

Mr Ferguson said work to find a solution was ongoing.

"I don't have the advice back from the department about the next stages on that and we look forward to sharing that with the whole community and getting on and building whatever is required," he said.

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