New speed limit signs are about to go up on about 340 miles of northern Minnesota highways - the direct result of a five-year study from the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

  • Highway 23 - from the junction of Highway 107 to the south junction of I-35 will increase from 55 mph to 60 mph.
  • Highway 18 - from the junction of Highway 47 at Mille Lacs lake to the junction of Highway 23 near Banning Junction will increase from 55 mph to 60 mpg.

The increases on the two-lane highways are the result of a 2014 legislative mandate for MNDOT to study the posted speed limits on all two-lane highways having a speed limit of 55 mph over a five-year period and make recommendations about changes. The first report of MNDOT’s findings was presented to the Legislature in January. Reports will be presented each year for the next four years.

All of the increases are based on a traffic and engineering investigation of each location, which looks at past crash rates, physical attributes of the highway such as shoulder widths and access points, and what speed drivers are currently driving.

“A speed study gives MnDOT the opportunity to review speed limits on all 55 mph roads in Minnesota and identify the ones that can support a higher speed limit without compromising safety,” said Julie Whitcher, assistant state traffic safety engineer.

In some cases, the study results in the speed limit are staying the same. About 570 miles were evaluated in 2014 and 340 miles were increased.

Minnesota has about 7,000 miles of two-lane, two-way roads that will be studied in the next four years. This year, about 1,500 miles of highways will be studied.

The speed limit is effective when new speed limit signs are posted.

 

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