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Part of I-80 to Increase to 70mph

Drivers at a rest stop on Interstate 80 near Jersey Shore were surprised to find out the speed limit of that section of Interstate 80 will increase next month t...

Drivers at a rest stop on Interstate 80 near Jersey Shore were surprised to find out the speed limit of that section of Interstate 80 will increase next month to 70 miles per hour.

It's part of a study being done by PennDOT, who said this location was chosen because most people are already driving 70 miles per hour or higher. Some people agree with the speed increase.

"I think it should be raised, but then enforce it at 70, not at 80," Dick Houtz said.

While others said they disagree.

"I've traveled in states where the speed limit is 70 and higher and I think it's pretty dangerous going at those speeds," Domenic Granato said.

"People that are going 75 in a 65 may now go 80 in a 70. So if you figure that any increased speed might contribute to increased accidents then yeah, it's going to be a problem," John Consiglio said.

According to PennDOT, the speed limit on two major roadways in our area will increase to 70 miles per hour on August 11. That includes 21 miles of Interstate 380 and 88 miles of Interstate 80, from Clearfield County to Clinton County.

Even though the 70mph speed limit does not go into effect until August 11, some of the signs are already in place.

A spokesperson for PennDOT said the new signs cost $120 each. Estimating by figures PennDOT gave Newswatch 16, the signs will cost around $8,000 to put up on Interstate 80.

Mark David of Xenia, Ohio drives this stretch of Interstate 80 often for work and said he has concerns.

"I just think the cars should go 70 and not the trucks. Trucks should always go slower because it takes them a longer time to slow down and everything," David said.

A spokesperson for PennDOT said PennDOT will study the locations throughout the year where the speed limits are changing. They will use that data to determine where else the speed limit could be increased.

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