Iowa's new 60-mile-per-hour speed limit on a new category of roads takes effect on Wednesday, July 1, but don't expect to drive faster right away.
Daniel Yeh is with the Iowa Department need at least a week to cover 1,800 state highway signs with aluminum overlays with the new speeds.
“So, we really want motorists to follow the posted speed limit. Not every 55-mile-an-hour road is going to increase to 60. Some of the roads will not increase because we already have a study, or we'll have a study very soon that says they need to stay at 55,” Yeh said.
Safety advocates warn that higher speeds could increase the severity of crashes.
Changes on county roads will take longer.
During a recent Woodbury County Supervisor’s meeting, County Engineer Laura Sievers said it could take months and thousands of dollars to modify road signs.
Other counties have also expressed concern about what Sievers calls an “unfunded mandate.”
The change is estimated to cost counties and the state $825,000.
Brian Moore is with the Iowa County Engineers Association.
Moore curves also need to be reevaluated for proper speed limits, and passing zones reassessed.
