Why is the speed limit on the I-184 Connector only 55 miles per hour? The freeway is 65.-LG from Nampa
BOISE - If you are driving on a freeway in Boise right now - you're probably going about 55 miles per hour.? Usually the freeway south of town has a speed limit of 65 MPH - but extensive construction has brought the limit down to 55 for now.
The Connector is another story entirely -- the speed limit there is usually set at 55 MPH - rain or shine, night or day -- construction or not.
Why can you zoom down the freeway at 65, but you have to slow to 55 on the Connector?
Reed Hollinshead with the Idaho Transportation Department says a number of factors go into the decision.
"Limited visibility through the curved sections, closely spaced interchanges with on- and off-ramp movements, and existing traffic volumes and associated congestion" all play a role according to Hollinshead.
He said ITD officials just took a look at the Connector to evaluate a speed limit increase.? Engineers found that most drivers go about 58. Yes, I know - you're shocked that people speed.?
"Only about 12% of vehicles exceeded that speed," Hollinshead - referring to the 58 MPH average. "If a larger percentage were exceeding the posted speed limit, that is usually an indication that conditions warrant a change to a higher speed."
Since most people aren't going too fast -- Idaho State Police officials expressed concerns about bumping up the limit.? Those reasons listed before - including congestion, traffic and interchange placement - all played a role.
