Kyler Lunde
Klunde1@uwyo.edu
Drivers can expect to see 65 mph speed limit signs being replaced with 70 mph signs on 30 different Wyoming highway sections in the next couple of months.
A press release in January announced this 5 mph increase would be taking place on sections of US 85, WYO 130 and WYO 120. Due to Wyoming’s fickle road conditions, this press released stimulated conversation about the safety of these speed increases.
“Before any speed limit can be changed, state law requires that a comprehensive engineering study and traffic investigation be completed,” WYDOT Chief Engineer Gregg Fredrick said.
These three highway sections were among the 1,546 miles of two-lane, rural highway that have undergone this study and deemed capable of safely handling 70 mph traffic by the 2015 Legislature.
“The study evaluated the terrain the highways pass through, their crash histories, current travel speeds, traffic volumes and the percentage of heavy trucks, alignment and sight distances, the number and locations of at-grade intersections and the amount of agricultural and recreational use the routes experience,” according to January’s official press release.
US 20-26 between Casper and Shoshoni, US 287 between Lander and Rawlins, WYO 220 between Casper and Muddy Gap, US 191 from Rock Springs to Pinedale and US 14-16-20 east of Cody were also found fit for the increase by this study and traffic investigation.
A new press release in March confirmed the speed limit changes of these highway sections.
“Governor Matt Mead signed into law a bill raising the statutory speed limit to 70 mph for non-interstate highways in Wyoming,” according to the March press release.
Another 1,000 miles of highway has been approved for the speed limit increase as well.
“WYDOT expects to have about 1,500 miles of highways raised to the 70 mph limit by the end of April, and another 1,000 miles by the end of May, with work continuing through the summer,” according to the press release.
Until the 900 new speed limit signs are up, it is expected drivers adhere to the current speed limits.
In addition to new speed limit signs, some areas will likely require new curve warning signs and alterations in pavement marking for passing and no-passing zones.
Once these changes have been fully implemented, they will be monitored in order to determine how the speed increase affects the safety of these roads.
“We will look at the roads and driving behaviors to ensure there is no significant increase in crashes,” WYDOT Director Bill Panos said. “If we find there has been a significant increase, we will take the actions necessary to protect the safety of the driving public.”
WYDOT will monitor speeds, crashes and traffic flow on these highways and revisit the speed limit increase each year.
According to the press release, update information on speed increases will be available on WYDOT’s 511 travel information service map.
