MoDOT evaluating rural highways for potential 75 mph speed limits

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A new Missouri law allowing higher speed limits on certain rural highways is set to take effect Aug. 28, but drivers will not see immediate changes.

The Missouri Department of Transportation is evaluating eligible highways to determine where speed limits could potentially increase to 75 mph. MoDOT said no speed limit changes will take effect until that review is complete.

In a news release, MoDOT Director Ed Hassinger said the department is working to balance traffic efficiency with safety.

“There’s a balance to be struck here between efficient traffic movement and safety, so we’re taking careful consideration of any potential location, what the roadway is like there and how people use it,” Hassinger said.

Under the new law, MoDOT will continue to determine speed limits and must consider whether a higher limit would be reasonably safe for each roadway.

The department said its evaluation will include several factors, including:

• Current traffic volumes
• Truck traffic volumes
• Crash history
• Terrain
• Road design and existing safety features
• Speed limits in neighboring states near the Missouri border

Interstate 70 will not see its speed limit increase while construction continues through MoDOT's Improve I-70 Program. The department said it will reevaluate the corridor once the rebuild and expansion project is complete.

Hassinger said MoDOT hopes to complete its review of eligible locations by the end of the year and provide an update on which highways could see higher speed limits.

Until then, MoDOT is reminding drivers to continue following posted speed limits, particularly in work zones across the state.

Check back for updates.