U.S. 56 speed ups to 60 mph
By The Emporia Gazette (Contact)
Originally published 08:05 a.m., April 25, 2009
Updated 08:04 a.m., April 25, 2009
Speed limits have been raised on U.S. Highway 56 in Lyon, Osage, Douglas and Johnson counties, the Kansas Department of Transportation announced Friday.
The speed limit on U.S. 56 was raised from 55 mph to 60 mph in the four-county area. U.S. 56 stretches east-west across north Lyon County.
“In 2007, KDOT had planned to increase the speed limit along US-56 from 55 miles per hour to 60 miles per hour, based on the results of a traffic study completed at that time,” a release from KDOT stated.
The project was postponed in July 2007 so KDOT staff could hold meetings with local city, county and school district officials in the four-county area to address safety concerns with schools. After those discussions, rural school zones were implemented.
A rural school zone was built in front of Northern Heights High School, on U.S. 56 one mile east of Allen. The speed limit is lowered to 45 mph before and after school.