SWEETWATER COUNTY — 80 mph speed limit in effect on more than half of Wyoming’s interstate highways.

After some quick work by WYDOT sign crews yesterday, motorists now can legally drive up to 80 mph on nearly 500 miles of rural interstate highway in Wyoming. The speed limit increase was a result of action taken by the state Legislature during its 2014 session.

The sign crews have completed the process of changing speed limit signs along three sections of Interstate 25, totaling 268 miles in length, as well as on three sections of I-80 (116 miles) and two sections of I-90 (104 miles).

In approving the speed limit increase, legislators directed WYDOT to conduct a study of the three rural interstate routes to determine where a speed limit of 80 would be appropriate. The study included engineering, traffic and crash history considerations.

Wyoming Highway Patrol Col. John Butler has issued a reminder that his agency gives priority to the safety and welfare of the motoring public, and therefore, troopers have been instructed to strictly enforce the 80 mph speed limit and drivers should not count on leniency if they operate at higher speeds.

-Information via WYDOT