Urban freeway speed limits

[bulldog1979]

Grand Rapids/Muskegon

* I-96 - 70 mph
* I-196 - 70 mph, 65 mph between Market Ave and Fuller Ave
* US-31 in Muskegon - 70 mph
* US-31 in Ferrysburg - 70 mph, drops to 50 just before the drawbridge
* US-131 - 70 mph, 55 mph between Wealthy St and I-196
* M-6 - 70 mph

US 131 is only lowered between Wealthy and the north end of the S-Curve; the rest is 70 mph through the area while the S-Curve is technically variable based on conditions. I have seen the speed limit dropped to 35 mph on the S-Curve during winter snowstorms.

[OCGuy81]

What is the speed limit on the infamous I-90 curve in downtown Cleveland?  I imagine that'd be signed fairly slow...

[JREwing78]

35 mph

[route56]

* Kansas City - 65 for I-70 east of I-435, then 55 between I-435 and the downtown loop where the limit goes down to 45.  I recall I-29 having a long 65 mph section that drops to 55 south of US 169; haven't been on I-35 enough to remember

On the Kansas Side:

• I-70 drops to 70 at K-7, 65 at I-635, and 55 at I-670.
  
• I-35 drops to 65 between Lone Elm and 169 in Olathe, to 60 near 75th, and to 55 near the Missouri Line (not counting the work zone speed limits for the US 69 widening). I don't know exactly where, but I would also count on a 70 mph speed limit between 169 and (at greatest) the Johnson/Miami county line.
  
• I-435 is 65 east of K-10, and 70 north of K-10
  
• US 69 is 65 from I-35 to 151st Street, and 70 from 151st to 199th. I haven't checked the speed limit on the 18th Street expressway, but it is likely 55.
  
• K-10 is 70 from Lawrence to Renner road, and only drops to 65 as it's approaching 435.
  
• I-635 is 65 along the entire route
  
• I-670 is 55 in Kansas
  
  Lawrence
  
• As noted above, K-10 is 70 east of Lawrence. The speed limit drops to 65 at the end off the freeway segment. The South Lawrence Trafficway is 2 lanes, and is therefore posted at 65 MPH.
  
• US 59 is slated to transition from 70 to 55 at the end of its freeway segment south of town when the freeway is finally completed.
  
• The only freeway that actually enters the city limits, I-70/Kansas Turnpike, should be posted at 75 once the construction projects are wrapped up. However, when the 65 MPH law was initially passed, the segment of I-70 through Lawrence did not qualify (along with the future I-335)
  
  Topeka
  
• I-70 transitions from 75 to 70 at Auburn Road/K-4, drops to 65 at I-470, is 60 from MacVicar to Adams (including the Polk-Quincy viaduct and Downtown Topeka), goes back to 65 from Adams to the Toll Plaza
  
• The "Free" portion of I-470 is 65 throughout
  
• US 75 is 70 south of 470 and north of US 24, and is 65 between US 24 and I-70
  
• The Kansas Turnpike is 75 throughout.
  
  Wichita
  I do not have complete information. I do show I-135 from the Turnpike to 53rd Street north as 60, then 70 from 53rd to 85th. Kellogg (US 54/400) is generally 60 along its freeway segments, and the Turnpike (I-35) is 75.
  
  Emporia
  I-35 is 70 from the Toll Plaza to the junction with US 50 on the east side of town. This is the only urban speed zone outside of the "big five" counties.
  

[Laura]

A couple that come to mind here in MD that have low speed limits are I-83 and I-70. I-83 (JFX) drops to 50 and then 40 mph the closer one gets downtown. I-70 east of 695 gradually drops down to 25 mph to its end at the park and ride. But also, if memory serves me correctly, I-70 is only 40 mph through Cumberland, MD, which is substandard.

[Eth]

But also, if memory serves me correctly, I-70 is only 40 mph through Cumberland, MD, which is substandard.

I believe your memory is correct...except that the route markers read I-68, not I-70.

Elsewhere in the state, I believe I-370 drops (dropped? I'm still not sure how the routing of I-370 is handled now) to 40 at its east end before reaching the Metro station in Gaithersburg.

[J N Winkler]

On the Kansas Side:

• I-35 drops to 65 between Lone Elm and 169 in Olathe, to 60 near 75th, and to 55 near the Missouri Line (not counting the work zone speed limits for the US 69 widening). I don't know exactly where, but I would also count on a 70 mph speed limit between 169 and (at greatest) the Johnson/Miami county line.

I went to Kansas City (family wedding) in late August, and my recollection is that the 75 MPH speed limit ends at Gardner.

Wichita
I do not have complete information. I do show I-135 from the Turnpike to 53rd Street north as 60, then 70 from 53rd to 85th. Kellogg (US 54/400) is generally 60 along its freeway segments, and the Turnpike (I-35) is 75.

All of this is correct.  In addition, I-235 is 65 for its entire length in both directions except between Broadway and the I-135/K-254 interchange (eastbound), and K-96 (Northeast Freeway) is 65 for its entire length in both directions except for 55 westbound between Hydraulic and the I-135 trumpet.  I think K-96 (State Fair Freeway--west of the I-235/Meridian Ave. interchange complex) is 70 eastbound until West Street and then 65 to the I-235 ramps.  I suspect westbound traffic gets a 70 limit coming off I-235, but I haven't been that way to check.

In general reduced speed limits in advance of major interchanges are not uncommon in Wichita.

[Brandon]

Chicagoland:

I-55 drops to 55 just inside Weber Rd (mm264).
I-57 drops at I-80.
I-94 only gets up to 65 north of the Waukegan Cash Box.
I-90 gets up to 65 just west of Elgin.
I-80 drops to 55 at Larkin (mm130), 45 a mile later to mm134, then 55 to mm137.  Then back down to 55 at mm150.
I-88 drops to 55 just west of Aurora.
I-355 is 65 south of I-55.
I-94 drops from 70 at mm16 in Indiana.
I-80/90 drops from 70 just east of the Willowcreek Barrier.
I don't remember about I-65, but IIRC, it's about US-30 where the drop from 70 happens.

[vdeane]

I-490 in downtown Rochester is 40... and a couple of the curves there require it!

[okroads]

OKC:
I-35: 70 to Exit 106 (OK 9 West), 60 from Exit 106 to Exit 112 (Tecumseh Road), 70 from Exit 112 to Exit 116 (S. 19th St.), 65 from Exit 116 to Exit 119A (Shields Blvd./Old US 77), 60 from Exit 119A to Exit 134 (Wilshire Blvd.), 70 from Exit 134 north to Kansas
I-40: 70 until ~Exit 139 (Kilpatrick Turnpike), 65 from Exit 139-Exit 144 (MacArthur), 60 from Exit 144-Exit 159 (Douglas Blvd), 70 from Exit 159 east
I-44: 70 until Exit 113 (SW 89th), 60 from Exit 113 to I-35's Exit 134 (Wilshire), 70 from I-35's Exit 134 to the Turner Turnpike, 75 from the turnpike eastward
I-235: 60 throughout
US 77: 60 throughout
OK 74: 60 from I-44/OK 66 to NW 50th, then 65 from NW 50th-Kilpatrick Turnpike
OK 152: 60 throughout
Kilpatrick Turnpike: 70 throughout

[vtk]

Columbus has 55 MPH on the Innerbelt, and out a few miles from downtown on a couple of freeways.  Some connecting ramps between OH 315 and I-670 have a regulatory speed limit of 45 MPH. 

I think I-75 drops to 60 MPH in Central Toledo.

Is that 35 MPH limit in Cleveland an advisory speed for the curve, or a regulatory speed limit?

IIRC, I-65 in Louisville has a 50 MPH speed limit.

[Alex]

Not that anyone cares about these cities, but here you go:

Mobile:
Interstate 10:
65 on the I-10 Mobile Bayway, 70 east of it
55 mph through the Wallace Tunnel
65 on I-10 between the tunnel and I-65's south end
55 through the interchange with I-65 (that is always ignored)
65 from I-65 west to Exit 17 and then 70 mph

Interstate 65:
55 at the south end, 65 otherwise

Interstate 165:
65 throughout

Pensacola
Interstate 10
70 mph east to Exit 10, 55 mph from Exit 10 to Exit 13, 70 mph eastward
Interstate 110, 55, even after the six-laning.

The 55 zones are pretty much always ignored and should be 65.

[agentsteel53]

Interstate 110, 55, even after the six-laning.

The 55 zones are pretty much always ignored and should be 65.

the last time I was at the 10/110 junction, FHP was there as well.  It is a high-speed interchange in which through traffic can easily and safely do 75 - why it is signed at 55mph, I ju$t don't under$tand.

[realjd]

Pensacola
Interstate 10
70 mph east to Exit 10, 55 mph from Exit 10 to Exit 13, 70 mph eastward
Interstate 110, 55, even after the six-laning.

The 55 zones are pretty much always ignored and should be 65.

That stretch on I-10 always pisses me off. I don't know how it is for you folks up there in "lower Alabama", but down here FDOTis usually fairly good at matching speed limits to highway design. I'm always surprised to see that stretch signed so low.

[DeaconG]

Pensacola
Interstate 10
70 mph east to Exit 10, 55 mph from Exit 10 to Exit 13, 70 mph eastward
Interstate 110, 55, even after the six-laning.

The 55 zones are pretty much always ignored and should be 65.

That stretch on I-10 always pisses me off. I don't know how it is for you folks up there in "lower Alabama", but down here FDOTis usually fairly good at matching speed limits to highway design. I'm always surprised to see that stretch signed so low.

Its the rush hour traffic between US 29 and Davis Blvd.  When I went up there last Christmas to visit family, that was one of the things I picked up on immediately.  Going from I-110 to Pensacola Blvd was a teeth-clenching experience to say the least.

[realjd]

Pensacola
Interstate 10
70 mph east to Exit 10, 55 mph from Exit 10 to Exit 13, 70 mph eastward
Interstate 110, 55, even after the six-laning.

The 55 zones are pretty much always ignored and should be 65.

That stretch on I-10 always pisses me off. I don't know how it is for you folks up there in "lower Alabama", but down here FDOTis usually fairly good at matching speed limits to highway design. I'm always surprised to see that stretch signed so low.

Its the rush hour traffic between US 29 and Davis Blvd.  When I went up there last Christmas to visit family, that was one of the things I picked up on immediately.  Going from I-110 to Pensacola Blvd was a teeth-clenching experience to say the least.

Stop and go rush hour traffic once shouldn't cause a lowered speed limit. Or if they're that concerned, why not use electronic speed limit signs like on I-4 in Olando? Setting it to 55 when traffic is nonexistent the 90% of the time is just plain stupid IMO. And it's not like I-10 is really an urban highway anyway!

[Alex]

Pensacola
Interstate 10
70 mph east to Exit 10, 55 mph from Exit 10 to Exit 13, 70 mph eastward
Interstate 110, 55, even after the six-laning.

The 55 zones are pretty much always ignored and should be 65.

That stretch on I-10 always pisses me off. I don't know how it is for you folks up there in "lower Alabama", but down here FDOTis usually fairly good at matching speed limits to highway design. I'm always surprised to see that stretch signed so low.

Its the rush hour traffic between US 29 and Davis Blvd.  When I went up there last Christmas to visit family, that was one of the things I picked up on immediately.  Going from I-110 to Pensacola Blvd was a teeth-clenching experience to say the least.

That was dealt with when the I-10/110 interchange was upgraded, segregating movements from SR 291 to I-110. Additionally I-10 was six laned westward to US 29. The 55 mph zone predates all of that work and remained in place even after it was completed. IIRC I-10 through Tallahassee maintains 70 mph throughout the metro area. So there is something wrong with the Pensacola jurisdiction that does not see that 70, or even 65, can function properly in its urbanized area.

Same type of thing can be said for the six-lane stretch of I-275 north of I-4 in Tampa. No reason that should still be posted at 55 mph except for revenue-generating purposes. The limit immediately goes up to 70 north of Bearrs, and was even kept at 70 during the expansion project through to I-75/SR 56.

[Roadman66]

The Belt Parkway in Brooklyn and Queens is 50, which IMO, is a bit too fast, due to the road design and conditions. Ever wonder why the FDR Drive is 40? First, I would make the Belt Parkway 40, or 45, as a precautionary, then raise it to 50 past the Brooklyn apartment buildings and past the Flatbush Avenue exit. Past here, the road widens a bit, with a grass median instead of a guardrail barrier, for a limited distance. There are people blazing at 60+ on this highway, where those who try to merge have very little room to do so. Lanes are very narrow, there are aggressive drivers, limited shoulder room, potholes every mile, and bridges that need repair, pronto. This is one of the worst highways ever.  I wish I can think of positives.

[agentsteel53]

The Belt Parkway in Brooklyn and Queens is 50, which IMO, is a bit too fast, due to the road design and conditions. Ever wonder why the FDR Drive is 40? First, I would make the Belt Parkway 40, or 45, as a precautionary, then raise it to 50 past the Brooklyn apartment buildings and past the Flatbush Avenue exit. Past here, the road widens a bit, with a grass median instead of a guardrail barrier, for a limited distance. There are people blazing at 60+ on this highway, where those who try to merge have very little room to do so. Lanes are very narrow, there are aggressive drivers, limited shoulder room, potholes every mile, and bridges that need repair, pronto. This is one of the worst highways ever.  I wish I can think of positives.

I'd consider this a positive:

[Roadman66]

how old is that shield?

[agentsteel53]

how old is that shield?

it's '57 spec but it likely dates to about the 1970s or so.  I think they just had an extra blank and used it, instead of using the correct 1961 spec which NY was using by then.  (I don't know when they switched over to '70 spec, but I suspect it was as late as the 80s.)

[ethanman62187]

Many expressways in Montreal are 70 km/h (a little under 45 mph); notably, Décarie Expy (A-15), Bonaventure Expy (A-10) and Autoroute du Souvenir (A-20).

I'm thinking that this should raise to 80 KM/H.

[1995hoo]

Many expressways in Montreal are 70 km/h (a little under 45 mph); notably, Décarie Expy (A-15), Bonaventure Expy (A-10) and Autoroute du Souvenir (A-20).

I'm thinking that this should raise to 80 KM/H.

Have you ever travelled on any of the autoroutes in Montreal? (I assume, given your stated age, you haven't driven yourself.)

[roadman65]

I-280 in Newark, NJ is 40 mph across the Stickle Drawbridge.  That is cause the highway is very substandard and the lanes are narrow with no merge areas from NJ 21 onto the freeway. 

[formulanone]

I'd consider this a positive:

Out of curiosity, what is that "No Photos" sign referring to? Never seen anything like it.