70 is the new 65: Signs now going up, raising the speed limit on some Wisconsin roadways

MILWAUKEE -- Highway crews have begun installing brand new 70 miles-per-hour speed limit signs on interstates in Wisconsin. Once those signs go up -- drivers can drive 70 miles-per-hour on those designated roadways.

Governor Scott Walker signed the law last month -- giving the go-ahead for the speed limit to be raised on some roadways.

According to the Governor's Highway Safety Association, Wisconsin is the last state in the Midwest to raise the speed limit to 70 miles-per-hour.

But if we're going to be honest, drivers probably weren't setting the cruise at 65 anyways -- so the higher speed limit might make them feel better about how fast they're already going.

"I know most people go around 80, so going around 80 now is probably the maximum of what you`re going to want to do. But yeah, I think going around 80 is fine now," one driver said.

But Mike Pyritz with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation has a warning about that logic.

"You`re supposed to go the posted speed limit. I`ll have to leave the discretion of that up to law enforcement," Pyritz said.

The speed limit is being raised on nearly 900 miles of roadway in Wisconsin.

"You`re seeing signs go up (Tuesday) in Racine, Kenosha, the southern part of Milwaukee County, out here in Waukesha on I-94," Pyritz said.

Some aren't too excited about 70 miles-per-hour.

"I think there are too many cars on the interstate. I think people are in too much of a hurry. I think in Wisconsin there is too much wildlife, so I really don`t think it needs to go higher," one driver said.

There are numerous highways in southeastern Wisconsin that will likely have the speed limit raised as well. Highway 16, for example, is not a designated interstate, but it was built to the same standards, and it's eligible for the higher speed limit.

Last month, WisDOT noted about 726 miles of Interstate would be impacted. Following subsequent engineering analysis, a total of about 810 miles will be affected along interstate segments currently posted at 65 mph.

Motorists are advised the 70 mph speed limit will not take effect until a specific highway segment is posted at the higher speed. Drivers are asked to be alert, to slow down and move over for county highway crews as they install the new signs along rural interstates.

WisDOT is also reminding motorists:

Rural interstate segments in Wisconsin where speed limits will be raised to 70 mph:

Brief history of speed limits in Wisconsin: