Speed Limits Are Dropping For Some Texas Highways

The Wild Wild West. That's what many people refer to the highways in Texas as. They aren't exactly wrong. The amount of bobbing and weaving...and speeding. My goodness, the speeding. I understand you want to get to your destination and all that, but can't you go a little bit closer to the speed limit?

Most highways in Texas have a tendency to range from 65-80 mph. I'd say that's a pretty solid speed no matter which highway you're on.

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Well, TxDOT has been playing around with the idea of lowering the speed limit on certain highways in the state, and it's about to become reality.

Remember a couple of weeks ago when we talked about those black cables or tubes that get thrown on the road were? As a refresher, they track traffic patterns and speeds. This is the reason why they track those things, to see how safe an area is and what they may need to change.

Six Highways Will See Drop in Speed Limit

Six highways in Texas are about to see their speed limit dropped, and it's to help reduce crashes as well as improve overall safety on these roads.

I know, the big question you're asking right now is what highways, and are any of them the major highways? The answer to your question is yes, there is one major interstate listed in two different spots, but the other four are state highways that get a fair amount of use that you'll now be told to go a bit slower on.

I-10 (or Old Highway 90)

The major interstate seeing a speed change is happening on I-10. The stretch from Rose City to West Rose City will be seeing a drop from 75 mph to 70 mph. It's also referred to as Old Highway 90. The other stretch of I-10 seeing a change is from 9th Street in Beaumont to Neches River, which will drop 10 mph from 65 mph to 55 mph.

Three More Texas Highways to Drop by 5 mph

Three of the four highways that will see speed limit changes drop by five miles per hour. Those highways are:

Highway 347, AKA Twin City Highway, to Du Pont Road will move from 70 mph to 65 mph
Highway 69 to Highway 73 over by the prisons to Port Arthur drop from 75 mph to 70 mph
Highway 90 from Wescalder to Dowlen Road will move from 50 mph to 45 mph

Highway 87 To Decrease by 10 MPH

The other remaining highway will see a more dramatic drop in speed as they'll lose 10 mph. That highway is Highway 87 between west Port Arthur and Sabine Pass, as it moves from 65 mph to 55 mph.

If you travel any of these roads, be prepared for just a few minutes longer on your drive. Yes, just a few minutes. Don't go the old speed limit, it's not going to make THAT kind of difference.

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Each year the AAST releases a calendar of the best looking state trooper cruisers. Ranking is determined by their Facebook followers. It's all for a great cause too. Proceeds benefit the AAST Foundation, which provides higher education scholarships for AAST troopers' children dependents. A noble cause by any measure.