New Mo. law allows higher speed limit on some roads, but don’t expect a change right away

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) - A new Missouri law taking effect Friday allows the speed limit to be increased to 75 mph on some rural highways, but officials say drivers should not expect to see immediate changes.

MoDOT is conducting traffic studies, reviewing crash data and visiting sites across the state to determine where speed limits could safely be raised. MoDOT’s director said the evaluation process will take several months.

“That’s why we’re working on this very carefully,” MoDOT Director Ed Hassinger said. “The law allows us to go up to 75 mph, but it also allows us to set speed limits that are appropriate. So if we see this causing a problem, we have the ability to lower those, too.”

Speed limits will not be changed in the St. Louis metropolitan area, including in Jefferson and Franklin counties. The speed limit also will remain unchanged on Interstate 70 due to ongoing construction.

Replacing each speed limit sign costs between $200 and $300. MoDOT officials hope to have the new signs installed on approved routes by the end of the year.