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Speed Limit Going Up on State Route 7 Between Marietta and Belpre
Posted on: 09/30/2013
Earlier this year, speed limits on Ohio’s rural interstate
highways went from 65 to 70 miles per hour. This week, speed limits on
many non-interstate roads are going up.
The changes affect more than 600 miles of roads across the state, including the
highly traveled 13-mile section of State Route 7 between Marietta and Belpre, where the speed limit is going from 55 to 60 mph.
Elsewhere in southeast Ohio, several sections of US 33 will
see speed hikes: Pomeroy to Darwin from 55 to 60; from the new Nelsonville
Bypass (which opens tomorrow) to north of Logan 65 to 70; and the Lancaster Bypass
from 65 to 70.
ODOT spokesperson Melissa Ayers explains what types of
highways were eligible higher speed limits, and how much they’re going up...
"You'll see an increase of usually about five miles an hour, from either
55 to 60; 60 to 65; or 65 to 70. Those are on rural, divided highways --
highways that look like an interstate or have some kind of median in between
them. So, it won't be your two-lanes. It will be divided
highways."
Ayers explains what factors the department looked at in approving speed
limit increases on Route 7 and other roads...
"We
looked at where were stretches of road that fell into the definition of the law
that people could safely drive at increased speeds. Safety is really our
number one priority, so we want to make sure that the road is one that you should
be able to drive 70 or 65 or 60 on."
The changes officially went into effect yesterday, but ODOT
crews will be changing signs the next few days. Ayers says until the signs are
updated, you should drive the posted speed limit.
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Link to map of speed limit increases in ODOT District
10:
Maps of all ODOT districts:
Scoreboard for Wednesday, January 15, 2025
