Black Hawk County keeps 55 mph limits on secondary roads
Not So Fast! Not All Roads in Black Hawk County Are Speeding Up to 60.
Drivers on Black Hawk County’s secondary roads will continue to see 55 mph limits after supervisors voted Sept. 22 to keep the existing limits.
The decision followed an engineering review prompted by a state law raising the statutory limit on certain county roads to 60 mph. It does not mean drivers should assume every road is now a 60 mph road. Follow the posted limit.
County Engineer Catherine Nicholas said road design and safety findings supported keeping 55 mph. Sheriff Nate Neff supported her recommendation, according to the meeting minutes.
In its Sept. 24 announcement, the county said staff reviewed more than 230 miles of paved secondary roads, considering road design, terrain, crash locations and stopping distances. Staff also identified places where additional speed-limit signs would help.
The Sept. 24 announcement said individual paved-road speed-zone resolutions would follow, with the supporting study information. This decision concerns Black Hawk County’s secondary roads, rather than setting limits on state highways or roads in Tama County.