REGIONAL— Drivers can now go a bit faster on portions of Hwy. 169 north of Virginia.

The posted speed limit from the junction with Hwy. 53 to the Y Store, near Tower, recently went from 55 miles per hour to 60 mph.

It’s all part of an effort by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) to loosen speed limits on multiple Minnesota highways, from 55 mph to 60 mph. The increases came after the conclusion of a five-year study on speed limits by MnDOT that found that drivers maintained more consistent speeds—which generally improves traffic safety— on roads where speed limit increases had already been implemented. Several roadways in northern St. Louis County, including Hwys. 1, 169, 135, and 73, are included in the proposal for higher speeds.

In some cases, like Hwy. 169 south of the Y Store, the new 60 mph limits are already in effect. But the 55 mile per hour limit remains in effect until the new signs are posted. As of this week, the 55 mph signs remained on Hwy. 1/169 north of the Y Store.

Hwy. 1, from Effie to Ely, is slated to increase to 60 mph, although signs have not yet been posted along that route. Hwy. 1 and Hwy. 169 merge at the Y Store and continue as one corridor to Ely.

Other area highways have already seen speed limit increases. The new 60 mph limits were posted on Hwy. 73 between Floodwood and Hwy. 53, near Gheen, earlier this summer. Speed limits on Hwy. 135 also increased on all sections of the road from Hwy. 53 to Aurora. From Aurora to Tower, the speed limit remains at 55 mph.

The change in speed limits does not affect limits established within city boundaries along the routes of these highways.