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MACON, MO -- The Missouri Department of Transportation is increasing the speed limit on U.S. 63 back to 70 miles per hour.

MoDOT tells us after making several improvements on intersections along the highway, they decided to restore the speed limit from 65 miles per hour to 70.

Brian Haeffner, a MoDOT area engineer, tells us motorists can expect to see message boards in place this week.

"Since we've lowered the speed limit, we've done speed studies and watch driver behavior. People really didn't change the way they were driving just because the speed limit went down," said Haeffner.

Haeffner said many of the crashes on Highway 63 were generally caused by drivers not seeing a vehicle, and pulling out in front of them.

"We also looked at crash data that we had and speed was not a major factor in the crashes we've experienced," said Haeffner

The increase in speed will be between the Boone and Randolph County line to Kirksville.

You can expect to see the speed limit change take effect in mid-January.


Previous stories...

Road audit trying to find more ways to keep you safe while driving  -  Monday, November 26, 2012 
MoDOT along with the Missouri State Highway Patrol conducted a road safety audit on U.S. Highway 63.

MoDOT makes improvements to deadly intersection  -  Thursday, November 08, 2012 
Additional signs and rumble strips have been added.