New speed limit signs being prepared for select Michigan highways

New speed limit signs will debut in May

MDOT transportation maintenance worker Kwame Johnson (R) and student assistant Karista Stephens (L) work on modifying a freeway speed limit sign in the Statewide Sign Shop.

DETROIT – Newly increased speed limits on some of Michigan's state highways means new speed limit signs.

MDOT posted some new photos of staff working on the new signs, showing the increased speed limit.

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About 1,500 miles of Michigan state highway will see a speed limit increase starting on May 1.

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) says 900 miles will see an increase to 65 mph, and 600 miles will see an increase to 75 mph.

Public Act 445, passed by the state Legislature in late 2016, tasked MDOT and Michigan State Police with increasing speed limits on some state highways and freeways based on 85th-percentile speeds (the speed at or below which 85 percent of traffic is moving) and the results of engineering and safety studies.

The law requires that these modified speed limits be in place prior to Jan. 5, 2018.

(You can also view a map of highways with changing speed limits here)

Work has already begun at the MDOT Statewide Sign Shop to update signs for the areas about to see an increase in the posted speed limit.

Posted by Michigan Department of Transportation on Wednesday, April 26, 2017

A new 75 mph sign for a Michigan freeway at the MDOT Statewide Sign Shop. © 2017 MDOT Photo Unit

Posted by Michigan Department of Transportation on Wednesday, April 26, 2017

MDOT transportation maintenance worker Kwame Johnson (R) and student assistant Karista Stephens (L) work on modifying a freeway speed limit sign in the Statewide Sign Shop. © 2017 MDOT Photo Unit

Posted by Michigan Department of Transportation on Wednesday, April 26, 2017

About the Author:

Ken Haddad has proudly been with WDIV/ClickOnDetroit since 2013. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters, and helps lead the WDIV Insider team. He's a big sports fan and is constantly sipping Lions Kool-Aid.