Step on it

Today, speed limits increased on many state roads. That explains why I saw the signs today. Unfortunately, the speed limit on I-94 between the downtowns is still an artificially low 55 MPH.

A while back, I spoke with a MnDOT official about why this is. In reality, MnDOT would like to post a more realistic speed limit on that highway (it is safest to post a speed limit at which 85% of drivers drive at or less; posting a speed limit too low will not decrease speeds). However, when the federal law was amended to get rid of the 55 MPH speed limit, Governor Arne Carlson and the State Patrol argued against increasing the speed limit on I-94. And there it has stayed. Too bad.