Speed Limit To Increase On 2 Highways In NE Minnesota

DULUTH, MN — The speed limits on two Northeastern Minnesota highways will increase from 55 to 60 miles per hour late this week or early next week, depending on weather or other issues.

• Highway 217 — Increase the existing 55 mph speed limit between Littlefork and Ray
• Highway 286 — Increase the existing 55 mph speed limit between Highway 6 and Marcell

The new speed limits will take effect when the new signs are posted, according to a news release.

The speed increases are based on a traffic and engineering study, which looks at past crash rates, physical attributes of the highway (such as shoulder widths and access points), and an analysis of current driving speeds.

In 2014, the Minnesota Legislature directed MnDOT to evaluate its two-lane, two-way 55 mph highways to determine whether speed limits could be reasonably and safely increased. The statewide study will end in 2019.

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