WILLMAR - The speed limits on several highways in west central Minnesota will increase from 55 to 60 miles per hour. The change begins on Monday but will take effect when the new signs are posted, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
Area roads affected by the change include Highway 104 from Glenwood to Sunburg, Highway 114 from Starbuck to Interstate 94 and Highway 119 from Highway 40 to U.S. Highway 12.
The speed increases are based on a traffic and engineering study of each location, which looks at past crash rates, physical attributes of the highway (such as shoulder widths and access points) and an analysis of current driving speeds.
In 2014, the Minnesota Legislature directed MnDOT to evaluate its two-lane, two-way 55 mph highways to determine whether speed limits could be reasonably and safely increased.
The statewide study will end in 2019.
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Speed limits lower than 55 miles per hour along these sections of highway will remain unchanged.
