BEAUMONT, Texas — The Texas Department of Transportation lowered speed limits on several sections of roads and highways in Southeast Texas on Monday.
The stretches dropped by five to 10 mph.
Here's the affected speed limits...
- I10 from 9th street in Downtown Beaumont to Neches River- 65 mph to 55 mph
- Highway 90 (College St) from Wescalder to Dowlen Road- 50 mph to 45 mph
- Highway 347 (Twin City Highway) to Du Pont Road- 70 mph to 65 mph
- Highway 69 to Highway 73 (By the prisons all the way to Port Arthur)- 75 mph to 70 mph
- I10 (Rose City) Old Hwy 90 to west Rose City- 75 mph to 70 mph
TxDOT says these speed limit changes come after careful analysis. Engineers looked at everything from traffic patterns to crash history.
"We're looking at several different speed limits throughout our area. We're trying to improve safety throughout Southeast Texas," said TxDOT Spokesperson Sarah Dupre previously told 12Newd.
In Beaumont, Interstate 10 from 9th Street to the Neches River will be dropping from 65 to 55 mph.
College Street Highway 90 will also see lower speeds. Between Wescalder Road and South Dowlen the speed limit will drop from 50 mph to 45.
A small stretch of Highway 347 (Twin City Highway) from the Cardinal Drive split to Du Pont Road will drop from 70 to 65 mph.
"So several different factors go into these speed studies. We're looking at how many crashes have happened along these stretches of roadways. We're looking at how wide the shoulders are. How many driveways are along those stretches of roadway," Dupre said.
In Rose City, TxDOT will lower the speed limit to 70 mph between Old Hwy 90 and the west side of town.
"Looking into these speed limits and making sure that they are set accordingly is something that we are definitely making sure that we're looking at," said Dupre.
A stretch of Highway 87 in Port Arthur has seen 137 crashes, according to the state's study. The state average is 86 for similar roadways.
Some drivers say they don't think a five to 10 miles per hour speed change will make much of a difference.
"People are probably going to still drive 75 or 80 miles an hour regardless of if it's a 70 miles per hour speed limit," said Julie Degollado.
The Degollado family is from the Rio Grande. On Monday, they made a pit stop at a gas station along I-10 and Rose City on their way to Dollywood.
Degollado says they drive this stretch of highway frequently to visit family who lives in Virginia.
But something they didn't expect to see was a speed change.
"I was expecting it to be like 75 right now and every time I see the signs i'm like 'ohh slow down,'" she said.
Dupre says the department is constantly making sure speeds are accurate.
"With speed studies we're looking at several different factors. We're looking at the amount of crashes and types of crashes the amount of driveways the width of shoulders," she said.
Ruben Degollado says he think its could be dangerous for slow drivers.
"If you change the speed limit to 70 all of a sudden they're going 65 well now you have a 20-15 mile per hour difference in speed limits," he said.
Other drivers like John LeBlanc, who was on his way to New Orleans, has a similar opinion.
"I would leave it like it is. Keep the traffic flowing," LeBlanc said.
Dupre says three different crews are working from the Beaumont, Port Arthur and Orange offices to change the signs along all five of these roadways.
Crews expect this to be completed by Tuesday.
TxDOT lowers speed limit on some Southeast Texas highways
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This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.