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To Our Customers Regarding Speed Limits: There have been stories in the news and inquiries from customers regarding speed limits on the President George Bush Turnpike and the Dallas North Tollway. We want to take this opportunity to emphasize to all of our customers that NTTA follows all applicable laws in setting speed limits on our system. The safety of our roadways is our paramount concern.
The law applicable to NTTA speed limits is Section 545.354 of the Transportation Code. It states that a speed study is one method by which the NTTA may set limits, but not the exclusive one. It further provides that the NTTA must consider "the width and condition of the pavement, the usual traffic on the turnpike, and other circumstances" in setting speed limits, which we have done. Additionally, in some cases, the NTTA’s current speed limits were affected by environmental law factors implemented at the request of the region. As you may know, the North Texas region is currently in non-attainment status for air quality.
In summary, NTTA’s speed limits are the result of a process that can consider several different factors. But regardless of what factors were used or when they were set, the speed limits on the Dallas North Tollway and the President George Bush Turnpike are all legally and properly determined.
The NTTA is undertaking speed studies for its projects in anticipation of their conversion to all-electronic tolling. NTTA staff has completed the initial field work pertaining to those studies and will be considering all the appropriate factors to determine if any existing limits should be changed.
As that process moves forward, NTTA will continue to work with regional and state partners to evaluate and implement any speed limit changes. But we must stress that no decision has been made to change any speed limits on the President George Bush Turnpike or the Dallas North Tollway.
Please drive the posted speed limits on our and all other roadways. And keep riding with NTTA.
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