The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is increasing the speed limit between milepost 58 to 76 of the Sterling Highway, which is located from Sterling to the Skilak East Restrooms. The speed limit was 55mph, now it’s 65mph. DOT officials are asking drivers to be aware of the change and continue to drive safely and reasonably for seasonal conditions, in addition to the occasional run-in with moose, bears, and caribou.
Justin Shelby, Administrative Operations Manager for the DOT told KSRM:
“As you noted, the section between mile 58 and 76, the speed limit was increased to 65 miles an hour. That was based off of the speed limit evaluation that was conducted over the summer of 2021 and 2022. This was after the reconstruction of that section of the Sterling Highway was completed and that was completed back in July 2020. Based on the data gathered, the engineering studies recommended the speed limit increase from 55 to 65.”
Shelby added:
“A respected speed limit for most motorists improves safety by reducing reckless and aggressive driving and it makes real speeders more readily enforceable. This section of the road, with the improvements that were done, 65 miles an hour is a safe and a reasonable speed for this section of the road. In fact, we found it in the study that it matches the speed that most drivers are already going.”
Shelby reminded drivers:
“With this change, we still are asking drivers to drive safely for conditions. This is within the Kenai Wildlife Refuge. You still have to be attentive to moose, bears, other wildlife. We still want drivers to drive safely, but just, with this change, we’re not really anticipating a significant increase in speed, per se, but we do want to highlight the continued need for driving safely and reasonably for conditions.”
The Alaska Department of Transportation says that a respected speed limit for most motorists improves safety by reducing reckless and aggressive driving by others.
