Regional Boards > Mid-Atlantic
West Virginia
froggie:
^ Yes. Besides being a full bridge replacement project, it will widen 81 to 6 lanes from MD 63/68 down to the existing 6-lane section in West Virginia at Exit 23.
Revive 755:
--- Quote from: seicer on January 11, 2018, 03:59:36 PM ---http://www.wsaz.com/content/news/Proposed-bill-would-raise--468637773.html
"A bill introduced in the W.Va. Senate aims raise the speed limit on the interstate and four-lane highways."
--- End quote ---
IMHO the bill needs to be rewritten since it does not allow an 80 mph zone that would "pass through the city limits of municipalities." Granted I am not familiar with how local governments operate in West Virginia, but elsewhere they have a habit of annexing along the highway even if there are no interchanges. The restriction would lead to speed limits not matching what the road could handle, and possibly new speed trap opportunities.
Bitmapped:
SB 96, the 80mph bill, isn't going anywhere. It was introduced last year as SB 627 and never left committee.
Much of WV's Interstate and Corridor network was built with a 65mph design speed. WVDOH has to get design exceptions from FHWA on projects now to keep the 70mph speed limit, as justified by low accident rates. I can't see FHWA granting design exceptions with an 80mph speed limit.
FWIW, the Commissioner of Highways has the ability to set speed limits now with no maximum limit in state code.
froggie:
--- Quote from: Bitmapped ---FWIW, the Commissioner of Highways has the ability to set speed limits now with no maximum limit in state code.
--- End quote ---
But I imagine would be highly unlikely to approve an 80 MPH speed limit on a roadway with a 65 MPH design speed...
cpzilliacus:
--- Quote from: froggie on January 16, 2018, 01:28:16 PM ---But I imagine would be highly unlikely to approve an 80 MPH speed limit on a roadway with a 65 MPH design speed...
--- End quote ---
Agreed. It might also be engineering malpractice to post a limit that much above the design speed (I also have to wonder if a licensed professional engineer would want to stamp something like that - if an engineer's stamp is required).
I am personally fine with posting a limit up to (but not above) the design speed (but I am not a P.E.).
Beyond all of that, there's a fair amount of out-of-state traffic on many West Virginia Interstate highways, and at least some of those out-of-state drivers are not familiar with the twists and turns of Mountaineer State freeways, which might increase crash risks.
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