JEFFERSON CITY - Following a comprehensive review, the Missouri Department of Transportation announced today the locations of upcoming increases to the speed limit of various interstate corridor segments. These increases are the result of a new law permitting the department to raise the maximum rural highway speed limit to 75 mph, and follows a detailed review within the department of each eligible location.

"The department takes careful consideration of all the different factors that make up a roadway when setting speed limits, including how people use it," said MoDOT Director Ed Hassinger. "This decision is not made lightly and comes after a detailed study into each of those factors to determine where we can move people and traffic efficiently at higher speeds without sacrificing safety."

As part of the detailed review process, the department considered the following factors at each eligible location:

• Current traffic volumes
• Truck traffic volumes
• Current speed data
• Crash history
• Terrain
• Road design, including the presence of safety countermeasures
• Existing speed limits of border states in eligible areas near the state line
• Active construction

As a result, the department has identified the following interstate segments for an increase to the 75-mph speed limit:

• I-29:
  • From Exit 56 in Andrew County to approximately 2.5 miles south of the Iowa border (64 miles)
• I-35:
  • From the northern Cameron city limit to approximately 4 miles south of the Iowa border (55 miles)
• I-49:
  • From the Arkansas border to Exit 24 (24 miles)
  • From Exit 56 to just south of Exit 101 in Nevada (45 miles)
• I-55:
  • From the Arkansas border to mile marker 16.6 just south of the I-155 interchange (17 miles)
  • From mile marker 19.8 just north of the MO 84 interchange to mile marker 64.9 at the Rte. AA bridge (45 miles)
  • From mile marker 70.5 just north of the Rte. HH interchange to mile marker 86.6 just south of the Rte. PP interchange (16 miles)
  • From mile marker 106.4 just north of Exit 105 to mile marker 164.9 at the Jefferson County line (59 miles)

A map highlighting the approximate segment locations can be found online - 75 MPH Speed Limit Location Map.

MoDOT crews will be working this fall to update the speed limits on these stretches of interstate, which entails updating the posted signs along the highways. Drivers should continue to abide by the posted speed limit along the highways.

"An increased speed limit may allow motorists to reach their destinations faster, but safety must remain a priority," said Missouri State Highway Patrol Colonel Michael A. Turner. "The Patrol and our traffic safety partners at MoDOT remain committed to reducing the number and severity of traffic crashes in Missouri. It is each driver's responsibility to make safe decisions while driving. Even with an increase in speed, drivers must stay aware and reduce their speed on rural interstates when necessary. Drive responsibly, stay alert, and adjust your speed for roadway and weather conditions. Each of us have a role to play in making sure everyone gets home safely."

Like it does for all highways, MoDOT will monitor and evaluate the crash data at these locations and may adjust the speed limit back to 70 mph as necessary.

"Let me emphasize the word 'limit' here," Hassinger said. "The highways across our state were not built for 80+ mph traffic. And a driver is looking at a significantly shorter window to react to the road and conditions around them at that speed. Getting where you're going safely begins and ends with the decisions you make behind the wheel. If you want to make it where you're headed safely, buckle up, stay alert, drive sober, and follow the speed limit."

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MEDIA AVAILABILITY: MoDOT Director Ed Hassinger will be available for interviews from 1-4 p.m. today, Oct. 21. Please coordinate through Assistant Communications Director Patrick Flesch.

For more information, call MoDOT at 888-ASK-MODOT (275-6636) or visit www.modot.org.

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