(FAIRBANKS, Alaska) – The Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (ADOT&PF) will unveil a new 65 MPH speed limit this week on the Richardson Highway between Delta Junction and Valdez. The new speed limit, increased from 55 MPH, is a result of a speed study performed by ADOT&PF during summer 2013.

Beginning Tuesday, Nov. 19, crews will work their way from Valdez to Delta Junction replacing speed limit signage. Flaggers may be used for traffic control in some areas during the unveiling operation. Changeover is expected to be complete Thursday, Nov. 21.

To determine if a change in the current speed limit was warranted, ADOT&PF designers evaluated highway data including the operating speed of traffic, roadway alignment, crash history and severity, and more. In addition to revising speed limit signs crews updated passing zone striping for the new speed limit and added school bus warning signs where needed.

ADOT&PF encourages motorists to remember that all posted speed limits are for ideal driving conditions, including dry pavement. Updated road conditions are available at 511.alaska.gov or by dialing 5-1-1.

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities oversees 237 airports, 9 ferries serving 35 communities along 3,500 marine miles, over 5,600 miles of highway and 839 public facilities throughout the state of Alaska. The mission of the department is to “Keep Alaska Moving through service and infrastructure.”

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