Increased Traffic and High Crash Rate Lead to Speed Limit Reduction on I-80 in Nevada

NEVADA – The Nevada Department of Transportation will lower the speed limit on a portion of Interstate 80 east of Sparks from 70 mph to 65 mph.

The change will extend the 65 mph speed limit beyond the Reno-Sparks metro area. NDOT believes the modification is necessary to enhance safety due to increased traffic and a crash rate that is 115 percent higher than the statewide average for similar roadways.

The Department plans to continue evaluating the section of I-80 with speed studies one and three years following the speed limit modification. NDOT has also conducted safety, scoping, and corridor analyses and plans future improvements.

In spring 2021, the Speed Management Action Plan was launched to develop further strategies to manage speed on all Nevada roadways and save lives.

Credits: Fox Reno