80 MPH speed limit coming to South Dakota

[M86]

South Dakota has put serious money into rebuilding I-90 and it may very well be the first state to have 80 on long lengths of untolled and freshly reconstructed pavement, though Texas does have 85 on the relatively fresh new-build but tolled SH 130.

And I-29... there's just a few sections that need reconstruction.  It's just funny how they tacked on a gas tax to that bill.

[SD Mapman]

South Dakota has put serious money into rebuilding I-90 and it may very well be the first state to have 80 on long lengths of untolled and freshly reconstructed pavement, though Texas does have 85 on the relatively fresh new-build but tolled SH 130.

And I-29... there's just a few sections that need reconstruction.  It's just funny how they tacked on a gas tax to that bill.

No, the gas tax was the original idea, it was the speed limit increase that was tacked on at the last minute by the House Majority Leader.

SD is rebuilding I-90 pretty well, but from about Cactus Flat to just past Belvidere both lanes suck. Miserably. I think that is the worst non-NM stretch of road I've ever been on.

[andy3175]

http://www.capjournal.com/news/sd-officials-mulling-reductions-on-new-mph-speed-limit/article_41729860-ea46-11e4-96a6-3f3ccac3dc59.html

A lengthy stretch of Interstate 90 in western South Dakota might see the speed limit rolled back from 80 mph to 75 under a proposal by the state Transportation Commission. The commission decided Thursday in Pierre to consider setting the speed limit at 75 mph on I-90 from the Wyoming border to the Rapid City area, a stretch of about 55 miles. There also could be a special 65 mph zone on I-90 for the 26-mile segment between Sturgis and Rapid City that would be in effect July 24 through Aug. 10 this year. Extremely high traffic is expected during the 75th annual motorcycle rally in Sturgis. Rapid City is a hub for many of the bikers attending the rally.

Several commission members said they're hearing from citizens about the change to 80 mph. One commissioner, Ed Seljeskog of Rapid City, favors rolling back to 75 mph west of Rapid City. He referred to "the recent calamity" in Wyoming on Interstate 80 that saw two days of major pile-ups – including some trucks afire. "I'm really uneasy," Seljeskog said. The 80 mph change was attached to the transportation funding legislation with an amendment brought by House Republican leader Brian Gosch of Rapid City.

[SD Mapman]

http://www.capjournal.com/news/sd-officials-mulling-reductions-on-new-mph-speed-limit/article_41729860-ea46-11e4-96a6-3f3ccac3dc59.html

A lengthy stretch of Interstate 90 in western South Dakota might see the speed limit rolled back from 80 mph to 75 under a proposal by the state Transportation Commission. The commission decided Thursday in Pierre to consider setting the speed limit at 75 mph on I-90 from the Wyoming border to the Rapid City area, a stretch of about 55 miles. There also could be a special 65 mph zone on I-90 for the 26-mile segment between Sturgis and Rapid City that would be in effect July 24 through Aug. 10 this year. Extremely high traffic is expected during the 75th annual motorcycle rally in Sturgis. Rapid City is a hub for many of the bikers attending the rally.

Several commission members said they're hearing from citizens about the change to 80 mph. One commissioner, Ed Seljeskog of Rapid City, favors rolling back to 75 mph west of Rapid City. He referred to "the recent calamity" in Wyoming on Interstate 80 that saw two days of major pile-ups – including some trucks afire. "I'm really uneasy," Seljeskog said. The 80 mph change was attached to the transportation funding legislation with an amendment brought by House Republican leader Brian Gosch of Rapid City.

As a Spearfish resident, that makes a lot of sense. Spearfish to Rapid is one of the only semi-urban areas in the state.