US-29 Madison Heights Bypass -- 70 mph limit

[Beltway]

The new 70 mph limit in Virginia is not restricted to Interstate highways, the Code allows it on non-Interstate freeways as well.  This highway is built to rural Interstate standards, though.

Hope to see this on VA-288, and VA-895, as well.  They are built to rural Interstate standards.

Speed limit on part of U.S. 29 in Amherst County to go up
http://www2.newsadvance.com/news/2012/feb/24/speed-limit-part-us-29-amherst-county-go-ar-1710243/

[Takumi]

While I agree with raising the speed limit, I think the reckless driving law is stupid.

[Beltway]

While I agree with raising the speed limit, I think the reckless driving law is stupid.

It's easy to avoid going 80 mph.

[74/171FAN]

I've always thought the US 460(and partly US 15) Farmville Bypass should be 70 as well with only the US 15/US 15 Business interchange between the ends.

[1995hoo]

While I agree with raising the speed limit, I think the reckless driving law is stupid.

I agree with this because I think it comes across as a "gotcha" law. I found it more offensive when those ridiculous "abusive driver fees" Dave Albo sponsored were in effect a few years ago. If those were still around, 11 mph over the limit in a 70-mph zone could get you a $3000 ticket. That's utterly absurd. Doesn't matter if "it's easy to avoid going 80 mph." Going 11 mph over the speed limit is not, without more, worthy of $3000 in fines. (The "without more" is intended to recognize that aggravating circumstances can make it worse, such as the plague of cars I see being driven on I-395 at night without headlights lately.)

I'm glad to see they're finally considering non-Interstates under the new statute. VDOT's initial refusal to do so irked me. I doubt they'll consider the Dulles Greenway because I suspect they'll say it's too twisty, but the vast majority of traffic goes at least 70 mph on there already. I do not expect to see either set of barrier-separated HOV lanes (Shirley Highway or I-64) raised to 70, and I expect the new 495 Express Lanes (aka the Beltway HOT lanes) will be posted at 55 mph since they'll be separated from the general-purpose lanes by pylons rather than by a jersey wall or Armco.