Happened to run across this article on Facebook detailing a couple speed limit lowerings in East Texas:
https://www.ktre.com/2021/06/28/speed-limit-changes-approved-deep-east-texas/?fbclid=IwAR0Dray_OLJ__d5ktJi5H8_89rfm1kww0SEuabz8fbAJ6cKgyf7JbKTCk2I
Summary of changes:
The following section (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/31.5484289,-94.6880199/31.5267581,-94.695402/@31.5389906,-94.6954485,14.61z/data=!4m2!4m1!3e0) of US 59 lowered from 75 to 60
FM 353 from San Augustine to Shelby County line lowered from 50 to 45
FM 353 from Shelby County line to TX 87 lowered from 55 to 50
It's kind of just like - really? - but it's not the end of the world, it's just a couple mile segments. Nothing too lengthy, fortunately.
The US-59 segment, while outside the city limits of Nacogdoches, is still a fairly busy commercial business corridor at this point. It needed to be done. If I am guessing, it moved the 75 mph south to the point where the highway (going south) transitions to 4-lane divided highway from the 4-lane with a center left turn lane.
As to FM-353, it is two 11 foot lanes without any shoulders. It is not in too great of a condition even at that.