Highway speed limit increase.

13LSO-0263.L1

FISCAL NOTE

	FY 2014	FY 2015	FY 2016
NON-ADMINISTRATIVE IMPACT
Anticipated Expenditure Increase:
HIGHWAY FUND	269,250	0	0

Source of Expenditure Increase:

Traffic studies and device changes for roadways moved from 65 miles per hour (65 mph) to 70 miles per hour (70 mph) speed limits, where applicable.

Assumptions:

The following is based on conducting studies, installing signs and adding markings on an estimated 33% of existing 65 MPH speed limit roads that would be able to be changed to 70 MPH speed limits.  The estimated costs are limited to those roads that speed limits can be safely increased from 65 MPH to 70 MPH without improvements to the actual highway.   

1.) Speed Studies $86,000 (collect and analyze data then write reports)

2.) Range Tracking for Barriers $57,000 (Center line striping will need to be adjusted for no passing barriers due to operational speed increase)

3.) Curve Warning Studies $45,000 (Evaluate slope of curves with ball banking indicators for safety at higher speed)

4.) Closing and Extending Barriers 32,550 (Labor and materials for new pavement striping)

5.) Speed Limit Sign Overlays $19,800 (new sign overlays, 70 mph to cover 65 mph)

6.) Additional Curve Warning Signs $28,900 (new signs to post reduced speed for safety)

Existing roads that have safety or physical/geometric features would not safely allow an increase in the existing speed limit would be precluded.  After future studies more roads may be identified where speed limits may safely be increased with proper traffic control modifications.

(This cost may be considered an administrative cost, but is listed here for consistency.)

Prepared by:    Michael Swank, LSO                    Phone:     777-7881

(Information provided by Joel Meena, Wyoming Department of Transportation, 777-4374)