VicRoads has backed down on plans to permanently reduce the speed limit on the Tullamarine Freeway to 80km/h, following community backlash.

On Wednesday, VicRoads director Andrew Williams said the speed limit would be dropped from 100km/h to 80km/h on the freeway from Power Street in Southbank to the Melrose Drive exit at Melbourne Airport once road-widening works were complete.

VicRoads will reconsider the plan to permanently reduce the speed limit on the Tullamarine Freeway to 80km/h. Credit:Angela Wylie

The speed limit would need to be capped, he said, due to the removal of the emergency lanes as part of the $1.3 billion freeway upgrade.

On Thursday, however, Mr Williams said VicRoads would reconsider the plan.