70 MPH Speed Limit Increase To 70 In Pennsylvania???

[Pete from Boston]

I used to use the left, 35mph E-ZPass lanes at the Tappan Zee almost weekly. 

One night in 2012 they were closed, so I took the right 5mph lane, forgetting to slow down. 

The NYSTA sent me a nasty letter saying if I continued to go 20mph over the limit through their E-ZPass lanes, they would revoke my (NYSTA-issued) E-ZPass.

[cl94]

I used to use the left, 35mph E-ZPass lanes at the Tappan Zee almost weekly. 

One night in 2012 they were closed, so I took the right 5mph lane, forgetting to slow down. 

The NYSTA sent me a nasty letter saying if I continued to go 20mph over the limit through their E-ZPass lanes, they would revoke my (NYSTA-issued) E-ZPass.

NYSTA gives you one warning letter before they revoke or suspend. Tappan Zee is one of the few places I've seen where the converted lanes can actually read at a high speed. I know people who have had them taken away, hence why I'm very careful to follow the posted speed limits in the lanes.

[jeffandnicole]

It looks like they give you a nice cushion though.  5 mph thru a lane is way too slow.  When EZ Pass first started on the Garden State Parkway, it was somewhat of a joke that there was a 5 mph speed limit in the EZ Pass lane, but in the exact change lanes motorists were able to toss their 35 cents into a coin basket doing 15 - 20 mph and keep going.

The DRPA bridges have 5 mph limits as well, along with gates.  I've timed it on the Walt Whitman Bridge where I can go 22 mph and the gate will rise with minimal time to spare.  The Commodore Barry Bridge needs a little more time - I can do about 15 mph there.  When the DRJTBC's US 1 Bridge over the Delaware had gates, you practically had to kiss the gate with your bumper to be close enough for the reader to "see" the EZ Pass.  They've since eliminated the gates.

[Rothman]

NYSTA does a similar thing. If you're going fast enough to trigger a letter, at least in NY, the reader probably didn't get your E-ZPass.

Then more than likely your tag is installed wrong, if at all. "Waiving it" at the reader doesn't count. MTA warns they may take improperly installed tags.

Huh?  I've known more than a couple of people who blew through E-ZPass lanes and ended up getting tickets simply because they were going too fast.

What state or authority?

NYSTA.

[cl94]

It looks like they give you a nice cushion though.  5 mph thru a lane is way too slow.  When EZ Pass first started on the Garden State Parkway, it was somewhat of a joke that there was a 5 mph speed limit in the EZ Pass lane, but in the exact change lanes motorists were able to toss their 35 cents into a coin basket doing 15 - 20 mph and keep going.

The DRPA bridges have 5 mph limits as well, along with gates.  I've timed it on the Walt Whitman Bridge where I can go 22 mph and the gate will rise with minimal time to spare.  The Commodore Barry Bridge needs a little more time - I can do about 15 mph there.  When the DRJTBC's US 1 Bridge over the Delaware had gates, you practically had to kiss the gate with your bumper to be close enough for the reader to "see" the EZ Pass.  They've since eliminated the gates.

NYSTA's cushion is decent, but it's still way too slow. At the Peace Bridge and Niagara Falls bridges, I usually have to stop before the gate goes up.

[cpzilliacus]

It looks like they give you a nice cushion though.  5 mph thru a lane is way too slow.  When EZ Pass first started on the Garden State Parkway, it was somewhat of a joke that there was a 5 mph speed limit in the EZ Pass lane, but in the exact change lanes motorists were able to toss their 35 cents into a coin basket doing 15 - 20 mph and keep going.

The DRPA bridges have 5 mph limits as well, along with gates.  I've timed it on the Walt Whitman Bridge where I can go 22 mph and the gate will rise with minimal time to spare.  The Commodore Barry Bridge needs a little more time - I can do about 15 mph there.  When the DRJTBC's US 1 Bridge over the Delaware had gates, you practically had to kiss the gate with your bumper to be close enough for the reader to "see" the EZ Pass.  They've since eliminated the gates.

Where there is room, the all-ETC lanes should be open-road, with no reduction in the posted speed limit.

[bzakharin]

It looks like they give you a nice cushion though.  5 mph thru a lane is way too slow.  When EZ Pass first started on the Garden State Parkway, it was somewhat of a joke that there was a 5 mph speed limit in the EZ Pass lane, but in the exact change lanes motorists were able to toss their 35 cents into a coin basket doing 15 - 20 mph and keep going.

The DRPA bridges have 5 mph limits as well, along with gates.  I've timed it on the Walt Whitman Bridge where I can go 22 mph and the gate will rise with minimal time to spare.  The Commodore Barry Bridge needs a little more time - I can do about 15 mph there.  When the DRJTBC's US 1 Bridge over the Delaware had gates, you practically had to kiss the gate with your bumper to be close enough for the reader to "see" the EZ Pass.  They've since eliminated the gates.

Where there is room, the all-ETC lanes should be open-road, with no reduction in the posted speed limit.

It looks like they give you a nice cushion though.  5 mph thru a lane is way too slow.  When EZ Pass first started on the Garden State Parkway, it was somewhat of a joke that there was a 5 mph speed limit in the EZ Pass lane, but in the exact change lanes motorists were able to toss their 35 cents into a coin basket doing 15 - 20 mph and keep going.

The DRPA bridges have 5 mph limits as well, along with gates.  I've timed it on the Walt Whitman Bridge where I can go 22 mph and the gate will rise with minimal time to spare.  The Commodore Barry Bridge needs a little more time - I can do about 15 mph there.  When the DRJTBC's US 1 Bridge over the Delaware had gates, you practically had to kiss the gate with your bumper to be close enough for the reader to "see" the EZ Pass.  They've since eliminated the gates.

Where there is room, the all-ETC lanes should be open-road, with no reduction in the posted speed limit.

What is the theoretical maximum speed at which the equipment can read your transponder and/or license plate? Some people I know slow down at the express tolls because they are concerned that the payment will not be processed rather than because they will get speeding tickets.

[rickmastfan67]

Let's get back on subject here.  This thread isn't about speeding in Ez-Pass lanes.

[jeffandnicole]

(Real quick...just to answer previous question...)

I've gone thru at 78 - 80 mph without a problem.  On the free flow lanes on various ETC roads throughout the world I would imagine speeds are even greater than 80 mph.  It's probably in the low 100 mph range I would imagine.  The cameras are also top quality (my tag images when I used the toll road near Miami at highway speeds were crystal clear). 

[MASTERNC]

Well, the first hammer has dropped.  The Turnpike will increase ALL 65 MPH zones to 70 MPH this spring.  I'm shocked the Philly area is getting this.

http://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2016/03/16/Pennsylvania-Turnpike-to-increase-speed-limit-to-70-mph/stories/201603160107

[ekt8750]

Well, the first hammer has dropped.  The Turnpike will increase ALL 65 MPH zones to 70 MPH this spring.  I'm shocked the Philly area is getting this.

http://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2016/03/16/Pennsylvania-Turnpike-to-increase-speed-limit-to-70-mph/stories/201603160107

I'm happy but not all that surprised. Outside of the rush periods, you can easily crank it up to 70+ on the Turnpike between Valley Forge and the Delaware River.

The article doesn't explicitly say but I hope this is applying to the NE Extension as well.

[jeffandnicole]

Well, the first hammer has dropped.  The Turnpike will increase ALL 65 MPH zones to 70 MPH this spring.  I'm shocked the Philly area is getting this.

http://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2016/03/16/Pennsylvania-Turnpike-to-increase-speed-limit-to-70-mph/stories/201603160107

I'm happy but not all that surprised. Outside of the rush periods, you can easily crank it up to 70+ on the Turnpike between Valley Forge and the Delaware River.

The article doesn't explicitly say but I hope this is applying to the NE Extension as well.

What they found, he said, was that there was not a marked increase in the actual average speed of vehicles in the test area. Despite an increase in traffic, there also was a decrease in traffic accidents, he said.

This is significant being that traffic volumes are generally up throughout the nation as fuel prices have fallen.  During the exam period, prices were 50 cents to $1.50 lower than just before the study period.

In anticipation of the new speed limit, the commission already has installed black-and-gold markers known as chevrons to make curves easier to see, Mr. DeFebo said. New speed limit signs will have to be installed across the 450 miles of toll road before the limit can be increased.

The mainline is about 359 miles.  The various extensions in the western part of the state total about 81 miles.  Even if every single mile of these 2 roads are signed at 70 (which they're not due to the various 55 zones), that still wouldn't equal 450 miles.   Thus, the 450 miles of toll road is almost certainly including the NE Extension.

The NE Extension is about 111 miles long, with all but the southern portion and the tunnel area signed at 65.

So of the roughly 561 miles of the PA Turnpike, 80% should be signed at 70 mph.  Not bad at all.

[Henry]

Wow, that's welcome news! I think that the 70 MPH limit will also apply to the free Interstates (I-79, I-80, I-81, I-83, I-99)? Notice that I didn't mention I-76 and I-95, which meet in Philly; neither road would see the increase due to being in heavily urbanized areas.

[jeffandnicole]

Wow, that's welcome news! I think that the 70 MPH limit will also apply to the free Interstates (I-79, I-80, I-81, I-83, I-99)? Notice that I didn't mention I-76 and I-95, which meet in Philly; neither road would see the increase due to being in heavily urbanized areas.

Possibly in due time.  They still need to further study the non-toll roads.

It's a shot in hell, but I seriously wouldn't expect any 55 mph highway jump up to 70 mph, thus excluding 95 and 76 ex-Turnpike.  But, there's really no reason to keep 95 at 55 mph north of, say, Street Road (and that's being generous) and south of I-76, although it does jam up significantly around the Blue Route & 322.  I don't ever see 76 going up to 65.  Hell, I'd be happy if the DRPA would get rid of their blanket maximum 45 mph in their jurisdiction, bumping the Walt Whitman Expressway portion of 76 up to 50 or 55.

Rarely mentioned is the fact that 95 is still 55 in DE north of Wilmington.  There's really no reason this can't be increased to 65 as well.

[ekt8750]

Wow, that's welcome news! I think that the 70 MPH limit will also apply to the free Interstates (I-79, I-80, I-81, I-83, I-99)? Notice that I didn't mention I-76 and I-95, which meet in Philly; neither road would see the increase due to being in heavily urbanized areas.

Possibly in due time.  They still need to further study the non-toll roads.

It's a shot in hell, but I seriously wouldn't expect any 55 mph highway jump up to 70 mph, thus excluding 95 and 76 ex-Turnpike.  But, there's really no reason to keep 95 at 55 mph north of, say, Street Road (and that's being generous) and south of I-76, although it does jam up significantly around the Blue Route & 322.  I don't ever see 76 going up to 65.  Hell, I'd be happy if the DRPA would get rid of their blanket maximum 45 mph in their jurisdiction, bumping the Walt Whitman Expressway portion of 76 up to 50 or 55.

Rarely mentioned is the fact that 95 is still 55 in DE north of Wilmington.  There's really no reason this can't be increased to 65 as well.

76 is only 55 west of City Line Av. Between there and the Blue Route 55 is just fine given the terrain. I wouldn't want any semis thinking they can traverse the Conshy curve any faster than that.

I think the Blue Route could easily be 65-70 between PA 3 and the Turnpike, esp after the upgrades the northern portion received recently. Maybe if the southern half ever gets widened this can happen there too.

[vdeane]

Well, the first hammer has dropped.  The Turnpike will increase ALL 65 MPH zones to 70 MPH this spring.  I'm shocked the Philly area is getting this.

http://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2016/03/16/Pennsylvania-Turnpike-to-increase-speed-limit-to-70-mph/stories/201603160107

I was hoping the article would say WHEN in Spring.  Any chance before the Central PA meet?

[MASTERNC]

Wow, that's welcome news! I think that the 70 MPH limit will also apply to the free Interstates (I-79, I-80, I-81, I-83, I-99)? Notice that I didn't mention I-76 and I-95, which meet in Philly; neither road would see the increase due to being in heavily urbanized areas.

According to this article, it is expected the increase will be officially announced at a press conference with PennDOT, who would also announce further increases on non-toll highways.

http://www.goerie.com/pa-turnpike-speed-limit-to-increase-to-70-interstates-could-follow

[Alps]

Wow, that's welcome news! I think that the 70 MPH limit will also apply to the free Interstates (I-79, I-80, I-81, I-83, I-99)? Notice that I didn't mention I-76 and I-95, which meet in Philly; neither road would see the increase due to being in heavily urbanized areas.

Possibly in due time.  They still need to further study the non-toll roads.

It's a shot in hell, but I seriously wouldn't expect any 55 mph highway jump up to 70 mph, thus excluding 95 and 76 ex-Turnpike.  But, there's really no reason to keep 95 at 55 mph north of, say, Street Road (and that's being generous) and south of I-76, although it does jam up significantly around the Blue Route & 322.  I don't ever see 76 going up to 65.  Hell, I'd be happy if the DRPA would get rid of their blanket maximum 45 mph in their jurisdiction, bumping the Walt Whitman Expressway portion of 76 up to 50 or 55.

Rarely mentioned is the fact that 95 is still 55 in DE north of Wilmington.  There's really no reason this can't be increased to 65 as well.

95 is 55 mph north of Wilmington solely to encourage drivers to use 495. As for PA, the constrained areas of 95 south of the airport plus the two major junctions of 476 and 322 are enough that it will never be signed at 65 down there. North of Street Road, I can dream.

[jeffandnicole]

Wow, that's welcome news! I think that the 70 MPH limit will also apply to the free Interstates (I-79, I-80, I-81, I-83, I-99)? Notice that I didn't mention I-76 and I-95, which meet in Philly; neither road would see the increase due to being in heavily urbanized areas.

Possibly in due time.  They still need to further study the non-toll roads.

It's a shot in hell, but I seriously wouldn't expect any 55 mph highway jump up to 70 mph, thus excluding 95 and 76 ex-Turnpike.  But, there's really no reason to keep 95 at 55 mph north of, say, Street Road (and that's being generous) and south of I-76, although it does jam up significantly around the Blue Route & 322.  I don't ever see 76 going up to 65.  Hell, I'd be happy if the DRPA would get rid of their blanket maximum 45 mph in their jurisdiction, bumping the Walt Whitman Expressway portion of 76 up to 50 or 55.

Rarely mentioned is the fact that 95 is still 55 in DE north of Wilmington.  There's really no reason this can't be increased to 65 as well.

95 is 55 mph north of Wilmington solely to encourage drivers to use 495. As for PA, the constrained areas of 95 south of the airport plus the two major junctions of 476 and 322 are enough that it will never be signed at 65 down there. North of Street Road, I can dream.

That was the case when they first allowed 65 mph in Delaware - 495 was signed 65 mph at the very beginning so that motorists could clearly see that 495 was 65 mph.

Today, Delaware's I-95, 65 zone officially goes thru the 95/495 split.  55 mph doesn't begin on 95 until about 3/4 mile after that point.  Here's the split on GSV as of November, 2015: https://goo.gl/maps/N3dMg1zTSDp  At this point, it's fully 65 mph for both directions, with neither giving a hint as to the upcoming speed limit.

[thenetwork]

Wow, that's welcome news! I think that the 70 MPH limit will also apply to the free Interstates (I-79, I-80, I-81, I-83, I-99)? Notice that I didn't mention I-76 and I-95, which meet in Philly; neither road would see the increase due to being in heavily urbanized areas.

According to this article, it is expected the increase will be officially announced at a press conference with PennDOT, who would also announce further increases on non-toll highways.

http://www.goerie.com/pa-turnpike-speed-limit-to-increase-to-70-interstates-could-follow

Now if only I-90 could be at least 65 border-to-border...Of course, the odds are better seeing a crotch rocket doing 10 miles below the speed limit on a near-empty freeway.  Hey, I can dream, can't I???

[NJRoadfan]

Maybe now that an adjoining roadway has a 70mph speed limit, NJ would consider raising parts of the NJ Turnpike to 70mph. Of course that would be as likely as I-90 getting a bump.

[jeffandnicole]

Maybe now that an adjoining roadway has a 70mph speed limit, NJ would consider raising parts of the NJ Turnpike to 70mph. Of course that would be as likely as I-90 getting a bump.

What one state does has nothing to do with an adjoining state's speed limits.  Otherwise, we wouldn't be having discussions regarding why there's upwards of 20 mph drops at state lines on some roads.  Every state would have 80 mph limits, because once one state raised their limit, then every other state should've followed.  Heck, it took Delaware nearly two decades to match I-95's speed limit with adjoining Maryland's 65 mph limit. 

Sure, the reasoning will be used by some as to why the speed limit should be raised, but no state would ever say "We're going to raise our speed limit, not based on any design standards, traffic volumes, or other sound traffic engineering standards, but because the state next to us has a higher speed limit".

[Mr. Matté]

Maybe now that an adjoining roadway has a 70mph speed limit, NJ would consider raising parts of the NJ Turnpike to 70mph. Of course that would be as likely as I-90 getting a bump.

Declan O'Scanlon beat you by four hours: http://nj1015.com/is-65-mph-too-slow-for-nj-this-lawmaker-says-raise-the-speed-limit/

[vdeane]

Maybe now that an adjoining roadway has a 70mph speed limit, NJ would consider raising parts of the NJ Turnpike to 70mph. Of course that would be as likely as I-90 getting a bump.

What one state does has nothing to do with an adjoining state's speed limits.  Otherwise, we wouldn't be having discussions regarding why there's upwards of 20 mph drops at state lines on some roads.  Every state would have 80 mph limits, because once one state raised their limit, then every other state should've followed.  Heck, it took Delaware nearly two decades to match I-95's speed limit with adjoining Maryland's 65 mph limit. 

Sure, the reasoning will be used by some as to why the speed limit should be raised, but no state would ever say "We're going to raise our speed limit, not based on any design standards, traffic volumes, or other sound traffic engineering standards, but because the state next to us has a higher speed limit".

I would think the higher limit on the other side would prove that standards DO say the limit should be higher, as usually the state with the lower limit is lower because some politician pulled a number out of their rear.  IMO politicians should have NO say whatsoever over what speed limits are.  In any case, state's don't usually blanket the entire road with a uniform speed limit, so no, we would NOT all be 80 if every state raised them limit when the next state had a different one.

[cl94]

Maybe now that an adjoining roadway has a 70mph speed limit, NJ would consider raising parts of the NJ Turnpike to 70mph. Of course that would be as likely as I-90 getting a bump.

Declan O'Scanlon beat you by four hours: http://nj1015.com/is-65-mph-too-slow-for-nj-this-lawmaker-says-raise-the-speed-limit/

He has a point. The limit could be 90 and they'd still get a bunch of people.