I Can't Drive 55: Tollway Raises I-355 Speed Limit to 65 MPH

The speed limit for cars will increase to 65 mph Thursday on the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355) between I-55 and I-80, the Illinois Tollway announced.

Installation of the new signage is expected to be complete by midday, the tollway said. The existing 55 mph speeed limit will still apply to trucks, as well as other Illinois interstates in the metropolitan area, including Cook, Kane, Will, Lake and McHenry counties.

“We are pleased that this new section of roadway built as part of our Congestion-Relief Program will be used at its full capacity,” Illinois Tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur said in a news release. “This speed limit increase will help our customers reach their destinations faster, ultimately saving them time spent on the road.”

The Illinois Tollway said raising the speed limit would provide "safer and more efficient travel," and would be compatible with the 65 mph limit already in place on I-80 where it intersects with I-355.

“Drivers should obey the new posted speed limit as District 15 will be enforcing the 65 mph speed limit,” said Illinois State Police District 15 Commander John Jesernik.

According to the release, the speed increase was approved after a formal review process, which included completion of an engineering study approved by the Illinois Department of Transportation, approval by the Illinois Tollway's Board of Directors and coordination with the Illinois State Police.

Numerous factors were considered, including the design speed of the highway segment, traffic speed, traffic volume, crash history, congestion and interchange spacing, the tollway said.

For more information, visit the Illinois Tollway website.