Nearly 800 miles of Pennsylvania highways receive speed limit increase

Nearly 800 miles of Turnpike and highway in Pennsylvania now have a speed limit of 70 miles per hour, up from 65, as of Tuesday.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has upped the speed limit on 396 miles of the Turnpike and 400 miles of certain PennDOT highways. In 2014, speed limits were increased to 70 mph on 201 miles of Turnpike and highway, giving Pennsylvania travelers 997 miles of higher speed limits.

PennDOT roadways that are being posted with the new limit over the next few days (including current pilot areas) are:

• I-79 from I-90 in Erie County south to a point just north of the PA 228 interchange in Butler County (97 miles)
• I-79 from I-70 in Washington County south to the West Virginia border (33 miles)
• I-80 from the Ohio State border east to a point near mile marker 190 in Clinton County (190 miles)
• I-80 from a point near mile marker 195 in Union County to a point near mile marker 247 in Columbia County (52 miles)
• US 15 from the interchange with PA 14 in Lycoming County north to the New York State border (49 miles)
• I-99 from Exit No. 68 in Centre County south to a point near mile marker 34 in Blair County (34 miles)
• I-99 from Exit No. 28 in Blair County south to mile marker 0 (PA Turnpike) in Bedford County (28 miles)
• I-380 from I-84 in Lackawanna County south to Exit No. 3 in Monroe County (21 miles)

“Motorists should not look at this change as consent to speed; in fact, it’s as vital as ever to drive sensibly, to avoid distractions and to buckle up,” said PA Turnpike Chairman Sean Logan. “And remember, 70 mph — or any posted speed limit for that matter — is the maximum speed; you should drive slower when traffic, weather or road conditions demand it.”