posted by admin on Oct 15
As of Wednesday, Oct. 15, truckers and four-wheelers who travel Interstate 80 in Wyoming are subject to a 10-mile-per-hour drop in the speed limit on one 52-mile stretch. The reduced speed limit will remain in effect until April 15, 2009.
The Associated Press reported that the state lowered the limit from 75 to 65 mph between Laramie and Rawlins for the winter because the area is prone to blizzard-like conditions and fatal crashes.
“High winds, icy roads and blowing snow have contributed to the challenges faced by motorists,” Wyoming Highway Patrol Col. Sam Powell said in a news release. “The weather is extremely unpredictable, and you can have great visibility and dry roads one minute and near zero visibility and solid ice the next.”
Driving the 52-mile section at 65 mph will take slightly more than six minutes longer than at 75 mph.
The state DOT is also installing variable speed limit message boards along that stretch. During hazardous weather, the speed limit could go as low as 35 mph.
Researchers from the University of Wyoming are working with the state DOT to study the effectiveness of the system. If the pilot project proves effective in reducing crashes, other I-80 sections have been identified as candidates for variable speed limits in the future.
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