The drive across some of Virginia’s highways will become faster as part of a speed limit increase mandated by Gov. Robert F. McDonnell.
After several safety reviews, and after portions of Interstates 295 and 85 saw their speed limits raised from 65 to 70 mph earlier this year, 680 additional miles of highways will see their speeds increased to 70 mph by Dec. 31, the Virginia Department of Transportation announced today.
While none of the highways in the Potomac Communities will see an increase, the speed limit on I-95 between Ashland and just south of Fredericksburg will see an increase, as well as I-66 between the I-81 interchange in Strasburg and U.S. 15 in Prince William County.
State officials say the speed limit increases will make highways safer to drive because drivers won’t have to contend with changing speeds. The faster speed limits will also improve commute times for many, and will speed the transport of goods through the state, according to VDOT.
Nearly all of the stretches of highway that have seen a speed limit increase have been in rural portions of the state.
A bill passed by the General Assembly and signed into law by McDonnell in March allows for the changes.
Speed limits in areas with high crash rates will remain at 65 mph.
The change will result in 61 percent of the state’s highways having a posted speed limit of 70 mph.
