Speed limit increase on US 68/KY 80 in western KY

[hbelkins]

http://newsdemocratleader.com/pages/full_story/push?article-Speed+limit+going+up+to+65+on+US+68-80+&id=20266730

About time. Now if they'll just increase it on the other four-lanes like US 23, US 119, KY 80, US 25E and a few other roads.

[adt1982]

"The 65 MPH limit will start just east of US 68X in Cadiz."

US 68X?

[NE2]

Mis-signing of US 68 Biz.

[hbelkins]

Kentucky's official name for non-mainline routes (other than alternate routes) is US nnX or KY nnX.

If the mainline goes around a town, the business route is called nnX although it is signed with a "Business" banner. If the mainline goes through town, the bypass route is called nnX although it's signed with a "By-Pass" banner.

The exception is the business route of US 31E/150 through Mt. Washington, which is signed US 31EX. There are also a couple of stray contractor-installed KY 15X signs in Whitesburg.

[Beltway]

http://newsdemocratleader.com/pages/full_story/push?article-Speed+limit+going+up+to+65+on+US+68-80+&id=20266730

About time. Now if they'll just increase it on the other four-lanes like US 23, US 119, KY 80, US 25E and a few other roads.

Why won't they ... is it because of the fear of loss of ticket revenue?

[bugo]

Good.  It's always a good thing when speed limits are raised.

[hbelkins]

Why won't they ... is it because of the fear of loss of ticket revenue?

The story was poorly-written, as it did not say whether the legislature passed a law authorizing the increased speed limit on this section of highway or if it was accomplished by some other means.

Kentucky law spells out what routes can be signed for 70 mph. Because the Western Kentucky Parkway's first 40 or so miles officially became I-69, the law had to be changed to allow that route to be signed I-69 because the original law specified only the WK and not I-69. Similarly, the newly-opened four-mile portion of the Mountain Parkway that was expanded to four lanes bears a limit of 65 because the enabling legislation only allowed 70 between I-64 and Exit 43 (the old four-lane segment).

Not knowing the mechanism by which the speed limit on 68/80 is being raised, I can't answer that question. But I can say that I doubt that US 23 will get a 65 mph limit anytime soon. The chairman of the House Transportation Committee, Hubie Collins, lives on US 23 north of Paintsville. He doesn't want the speed limit raised in part because of the coal truck traffic. So as long as he has that position, it's doubtful that US 23's speed limit will ever be increased.

If KY 40 is ever completed to Warfield and a connector is built over into West Virginia, and if the four-laning of US 52 is ever completed, I will go through West Virginia to get to I-64, because they will have a 65 mph speed limit on a route that is practically identical to a route that only has a 55 mph limit in Kentucky.