Speed limit on part of U.S. 95 set to increase

COEUR d'ALENE — A 15-mile stretch of U.S. 95 from north of Hayden to north of Athol will increase from 65 mph to 70 mph on Monday.

"The increase is appropriate for safety and traffic flow," said Ryan Hawkins, an Idaho Transportation Department traffic engineer. "However, speed limit signs cannot replace common sense. They are intended to supplement — not substitute for — the driver's judgment."

The change will be the result of ITD engineering and traffic studies and was approved by the Idaho Transportation Board in June. It was also discussed with city officials and local law enforcement, Hawkins said.

The change will be from milepost 437 to 452 in northern Kootenai County and southern Bonner County.

Studies indicate that the majority of drivers in the stretch — 85 percent of them — are already traveling 68 to 74 mph. Setting speed limits according to the 85th-percentile speed is a commonly used standard, resulting in the lowest crash rates.

ITD is notifying drivers of the change by placing electronic message signs in the area. New signs will be posted between 6 and 10 a.m. on Monday.

The Idaho Legislature in 2014 amended the "Basic Rule and Maximum Speed Limits" in Idaho code to allow the Idaho Transportation Board to raise interstate speed limits to 80 mph and increase the speed limits on other state highways up to 70 mph where supported by an engineering and traffic study.

"Safety is a core mission of this department and will always be our top priority," said ITD state design traffic engineer Jesse Barrus. "We will continue to monitor trends and make adjustments if necessary to always ensure the safety of motorists in Idaho."

The posted limit is a maximum speed motorists can legally travel under ideal roadway and weather conditions. At times, motorists are required to travel at speeds lower than the posted limits, such as with icy, snow-covered or slick roads.

Limits establish a reasonable speed for a particular road under ideal weather conditions. Limits encourage better traffic flow by reducing the variances in speed from one vehicle to the next, enhancing free-flowing movement.

For inquiries about the change to the speed limit, call Hawkins at 772-1223.