Several northeast Texas highways see speed limit increase
By: Jade Cunningham
Updated: February 13, 2013
The speed limit along 118 miles of highway will be raised from 70 to 75mph.
"We're trying to meet the needs and the desires of the traveling public," said Public Information Officer of the Texas Department of Transportation, Marcus Sandifer.
In 2011, the Texas Legislature passed a bill that would allow certain highways to have higher speeds.
"The public has shown an interest in having faster speeds, especially in open and rural areas where there's not a lot of traffic and the roadways are good."
And after months of studies, the Texas Department of Transportation made their decision.
"Any highways that are wide enough, have good shoulders, straight highways that could be raised to 75mph if they're already at 70mph. The main one throughout the Atlanta district is US59."
Six counties in northeast Texas are included: Bowie, Cass, Harrison, Marion, Morris, and Panola.
In Bowie County:
US59/71 from the Arkansas state line to Texarkana north city limits
US59 from FM 2516 to Cass County line
US259 from Hubbard to Morris County line
In Cass County:
US59 from Bowie County line to north of Queen City, from west of Atlanta to east of Linden, and south of Linden to Marion County line.
SH77 from Morris County line to west of Douglassville
In Harrison County:
US59 from south of Marshall to Panola County line
In Marion County:
SH43 from SH 49 in Smithland to Harrison County line
US59 from Cass County line to north of Jefferson
In Morris County:
SH77 from US 259 to west of Naples and east of Naples to Cass County line
In Panola County:
US59 from Harrison County line to north of Carthage and south of Carthage to Shelby County line
People in Texarkana and surrounding areas are ready for the changes.
Anthony Jewell says, "70 is kind of slow, most people do 75. If you can't do 75mph, then you shouldn't be driving anyway."
Zac Roybal says,"To be honest, I don't think there needs to be a speed limit, just let us go!"
But even if you have the need for speed, it's important to always keep the safety of others in mind.
"It's safer when everybody drives the same speed limit, not too fast and not too slow."
The new speed limit isn't official until the 75mph signs are installed on the highways. Contractors are expected to put the new signs up during the next few weeks.
"We're trying to meet the needs and the desires of the traveling public," said Public Information Officer of the Texas Department of Transportation, Marcus Sandifer.
In 2011, the Texas Legislature passed a bill that would allow certain highways to have higher speeds.
"The public has shown an interest in having faster speeds, especially in open and rural areas where there's not a lot of traffic and the roadways are good."
And after months of studies, the Texas Department of Transportation made their decision.
"Any highways that are wide enough, have good shoulders, straight highways that could be raised to 75mph if they're already at 70mph. The main one throughout the Atlanta district is US59."
Six counties in northeast Texas are included: Bowie, Cass, Harrison, Marion, Morris, and Panola.
In Bowie County:
US59/71 from the Arkansas state line to Texarkana north city limits
US59 from FM 2516 to Cass County line
US259 from Hubbard to Morris County line
In Cass County:
US59 from Bowie County line to north of Queen City, from west of Atlanta to east of Linden, and south of Linden to Marion County line.
SH77 from Morris County line to west of Douglassville
In Harrison County:
US59 from south of Marshall to Panola County line
In Marion County:
SH43 from SH 49 in Smithland to Harrison County line
US59 from Cass County line to north of Jefferson
In Morris County:
SH77 from US 259 to west of Naples and east of Naples to Cass County line
In Panola County:
US59 from Harrison County line to north of Carthage and south of Carthage to Shelby County line
People in Texarkana and surrounding areas are ready for the changes.
Anthony Jewell says, "70 is kind of slow, most people do 75. If you can't do 75mph, then you shouldn't be driving anyway."
Zac Roybal says,"To be honest, I don't think there needs to be a speed limit, just let us go!"
But even if you have the need for speed, it's important to always keep the safety of others in mind.
"It's safer when everybody drives the same speed limit, not too fast and not too slow."
The new speed limit isn't official until the 75mph signs are installed on the highways. Contractors are expected to put the new signs up during the next few weeks.
