MoDOT identifies stretches of rural interstates for increased speed limits

By: Melissa Houston

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ) -- The Missouri Department of Transportation said Wednesday that speed limits will increase to 75 mph on eight stretches of rural interstate around the state.

In a news release, the department stated it took various factors into consideration when deciding where to change speed limits:

• Current traffic numbers.
• Truck traffic.
• Speed data.
• Crash history.
• Terrain of the road and road design.
• Existing speed limits.
• Ongoing construction.

The areas chosen for an increase to 75 mph are:

• I-29: Exit 56 in Andrew County to 2.5 miles south of the Iowa border.
• I-35: Northern Cameron city limit to four miles south of the Iowa border.
• I-49: Arkansas border to Exit 24.
• I-49: Exit 56 to south of Exit 101 in Nevada.
• I-55: Arkansas border to mile marker 16.6, south of I-155 interchange.
• I-55: Mile marker 19.8 north of Highway 84 to mile marker 64.9 at the Route AA bridge.
• I-55: Mile marker 70.5 north of Route HH to mile marker 86.6 south of Route PP.
• I-55: Mile marker 106.4 north of Exit 105 to mile marker 164.9 at the Jefferson County line.

A map was provided in the release, visually highlighting the interstate road segments where speed limits will increase.

MoDOT will be working this fall to update speed limit signs on those stretches; no timeline of completion was provided.

It is recommended that drivers continue to follow the posted speed limit signs as the updated speeds roll out.

Gov. Mike Kehoe signed the bill allowing increased speed limits into law in July. The bill was sponsored by Sen. Jamie Burger (R-Benton) and carried in the House by Rep. John Voss (R-Cape Girardeau).