A step forward for 70 mph speed limit on parts of tollway
Lead-foots who regularly cruise at 70 mph on I-90 west of Elgin and on the south end of I-355 will finally be legal if authorities approve proposed speed limit changes.
An Illinois tollway board committee took the first step Wednesday to increase limits on specific stretches of toll roads currently posted at 65 mph.
If the tollway board and state regulators agree, the 70 mph standard would be applied to the Jane Addams Tollway (I-90) between Elgin and Rockford, and on the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355) between I-55 and I-80.
The tollway has set a variety of speed limits within heavily populated parts of the metropolitan region typically ranging from 55 mph to 65 mph.
Tollway Director and Elk Grove Mayor Craig Johnson commented that the variations could be confusing and asked "what the ultimate goal is."
"The ultimate goal is an appropriate speed," general manager of maintenance and traffic Scott Kapton said.
He said the tollway's traffic engineers regularly evaluate speed limits and crash data.
The move comes after the General Assembly voted to raise speeds on toll roads to 70 mph in the metro area. Tollway officials have said the Illinois Vehicle Code empowers them to set the limits.
Officials voted to increase speeds at several locations in the region this spring.