The Minnesota Department of Transportation this week began putting up new speed limit signs on several highways in the west central part of the state, meaning drivers will be able to drive 60 miles per hour, legally.
The key is the speed limits don't go up from 55 mph to 60 mph until the signs are posted.
Once they are, motorists can drive faster on these routes:
- Highway 27 from Browns Valley to Interstate 94
- Highway 29 from Wadena to Highway 40
- Highway 78 from I-94 to Highway 10
- Highway 108 from I-94 to Pelican Rapids
- Highway 114 from Starbuck to I-94
- Highway 119 from Highway 40 to Highway 12
- Highway 104 from Glenwood to Sunburg
Portions of the aforementioned routes where the current speed limit is below 55 mph will remain unchanged, so be sure to watch the signs.
The speed increases stem from a study the Legislature ordered MnDOT to conduct on two-lane highways throughout the state and see where speeds could be raised to 60 mph without compromising safety. In determining which highways could accommodate higher speeds, MnDOT looked at road design, shoulder widths, access points and crash rates. Current speeds of drivers was also taken into consideration.
MnDOT will continue evaluating speed limits on the state's highway system through 2019.
