Speed limit increased in 2 parts of U.S. 68/80 in Trigg, Graves counties

GRAVES & TRIGG COUNTIES, Ky. (KBSI) – Drivers can legally driver a little faster on two parts of  U.S. 68/KY 80 in parts of Trigg and Graves counties.

The highway sections, both of which are four-lane, now have speed limit signs of 65 miles per hour. That is an increase of 10 mph from the previous 55 mph.

“The U.S. 68/Kentucky 80 Corridor is a well-designed, well-constructed highway that can safely accommodate the higher speed limit,” Gov. Beshear said. “This corridor already is a tremendous asset as a 4-lane connector between Interstate 24 at Cadiz and Interstate 69 at Mayfield. By updating the out-of-date speed limit, we are reducing congestion and helping Kentuckians get to their destination quicker and safer, while also increasing economic development by enhancing the flow of commerce in this area.”

Kentucky Transportation Secretary Jim Gray signed the order directing the higher speed limit on 6.5 miles of U.S. 68/KY 80 from the west edge of Cadiz to the Lake Barkley Bridge at Canton and along 2.5 miles of the KY 80 Mayfield South Bypass.

Transportation Cabinet engineers analyzed data from similar road segments where the speed limit was raised earlier to confirm the road could safely accommodate the higher speed limit.

The speed limit will remain at 55 along nine miles of the corridor through Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area and near the I-24 Cadiz Exit 65 Interchange east of Cadiz, at the U.S. 641/KY 80 intersection north of Murray, and near the KY 121 Bypass at Mayfield where the intersections have traffic signals, according to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

The speed limit along U.S. 68/KY 80 from Cadiz, through Christian, Todd and Logan counties to the edge of Bowling Green was raised to 65 mph in October 2012. A section of KY 80 in Calloway and Graves counties was raised in October 2015. The speed limit has also been increased on 4-lane sections of U.S. 641 and U.S. 45.

“I am pleased with the cooperative effort by public officials and economic development organizations across the region who have worked to make this speed limit increase a reality,” said State Rep. Richard Heath of Mayfield. “This decision by Governor Beshear and the Transportation Cabinet will make travel a little easier for all of us while opening up economic development opportunities for counties along the corridor and beyond.”

“This speed limit change means goods and materials can move into and out of the area more efficiently. Raising the speed limit turns the U.S. 68 /KY 80corridor into an even greater asset in the competitive arena of economic development and job expansion,” said Graves County Judge-Executive Jesse Perry.

“We are fortunate to have this high-quality connection between I-69 and I-24 that connects on eastward to Bowling Green,” said State Rep. Thomas Walker. “This new speed limit is an advantage on GPS devices and when companies perform fuel consumption and travel time calculations. If you are in Mayfield or Murray, this provides a quicker way to reach Bowling Green or Nashville.”