2/11/2013
Speed limit changes Wednesday on U.S. 93 near and through Carey
CAREY – Speed limit adjustments will be made on U.S. 93 through Carey beginning Wednesday (Feb. 13), the Idaho Transportation Department announced. The new speed limits will become effective as signs are replaced.
U.S. 93 through Carey: For traffic on U.S. 93 through Carey, there will be no changes to speed-limit zones in the south portion of town. The first change will be a reduction of the length in the 25-mph zone that begins at the Little Wood River Bridge and ends immediately south of the Little Wood Reservoir Road intersection.The speed limit then increases to 35 mph.
U.S. 93, north end of Carey: Additional changes take place on the north end of Carey, beginning with the reduction of the 35-mph speed limit. The 55-mph speed zone will extend farther south to near the top of the hill north of the BLM Fire Station. The 65-mph zone also will extend closer to town, ending just north of the Lakeview Drive intersection.
The speed limit is changing as a result of an engineering traffic study conducted last fall. Study results and speed limit recommendations were discussed extensively with the Carey mayor and city council before being approved for changes. Traffic studies determine the speed at which 85 percent of the vehicles already travel, and base adjustments accordingly to promote steady flow and increase safety.
An average of 1,400 to 2,300 vehicles per day travel through the city, with peak volumes occurring in the summer. Drivers are reminded that posted speed limits will remain in effect until the new signs are installed.
The speed limit change conforms to the 2012 state law that gives ITD jurisdiction over highway speed limits within city limits based on engineering speed studies. ITD already sets speed limits for rural sections of all state, U.S. and interstate routes.