Regional News
Neb. panel raising speed limits on rural roads
Published Monday, February 08, 2010 at 10:55 AM
The Nebraska Highway Commission and Roads Department are reviewing posted limits on state highways. Speed limits have been raised on about 360 miles so far, and the review is about halfway finished.

The Roads Department says the policy on speed limits is based on what is safe and reasonable for any particular stretch, plus what would be consistent with similar stretches elsewhere in Nebraska.

The problem, according to District 5 Highway Commissioner Doug Leafgreen of Gering, is that speed limits have been inconsistent and often too low on many rural roads.

Leafgreen says motorists often are frustrated by limits of 35 mph in one town, while in another town the limit is 50 mph. He points to other states that have a 65 mph speed limit on all two-lane roads, and suggests doing the same...eliminate the current 55 mph found on many rural highways.

About 75% of the roughly 550 miles looked at so far have been increased to a 60 mph speed limit. Most of those have been in the northern or western parts of the state.

Three segments of highways posted at 60 mph were raised to 65 mph after the commission asked that they be studied. Two of the 3 segments are on Highway 2 between Alliance and Grand Island.


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