Michigan State Police and MDOT Announce Increased Speed Limits

Michigan lawmakers decided in 2016 that speed limits in the state are little slower than they should be. The new law gave Michigan State Police and the Michigan Department of Transportation one year to study which freeways in the state could safely sustain an increase to 75 miles per hour, and which state trunklines would increase to 65 miles per hour. Those answers were revealed Wednesday.

In a press release, MSP and MDOT announced which state roads would see speed increases...all of which are north of the I-96 corridor. Locally, US-127 between I-69 and the freeway terminus north of St. Johns will increase to 75 MPH. Additionally, US-127 will increase to 75 MPH between Ithaca and the freeway's northernmost terminus at I-75 near Grayling. I-69 will also increase to 75 MPH between the Business I-69/Saginaw Street Exit 94 and Swartz Creek, just west of Flint.

More good news for Mid-Michiganders that travel north, I-75 will increase to 75 MPH as well from Bay City to the Mackinac Bridge, and from The Mac to The Soo. US-131 will also see an increase to 75 MPH from M-57 north of Metro Grand Rapids to its freeway's northern terminus in Wexford County, north of Manton.

Also a part of the new laws are increased speed limits for trucks and school buses. On the same stretches of freeway where passenger cars can increase to 75 MPH, trucks and school buses will be allowed to travel at 65 MPH.

New signage will begin to go up along these stretches in May. Until all signs are replaced the current posted speed limit on the road you are travelling is the legal limit.

For a map and full list of Michigan highways that will have increased speeds, visit this link to MDOT's website.