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/
While I agree with raising the speed limit, I think the reckless driving law is stupid.
Quote from: Takumi on February 26, 2012, 09:39:35 PM
While I agree with raising the speed limit, I think the reckless driving law is stupid.
It's easy to avoid going 80 mph.
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.
Quote from: Takumi on February 26, 2012, 09:39:35 PM
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.