By Maria Hickey, KWMU
St. Louis, MO. – The Missouri Department of Transportation will begin varying speed limits along Interstate 270 beginning tomorrow.
The 60 miles an hour speed limit will be lowered in 5 mile increments on digital traffic signs when traffic flow is at its heaviest or if there is an accident.
District Engineer Ed Hassinger says the goal is to keep traffic moving smoothly.
"The studies show that 45 to 50 miles an hour is the speed that you can move the most traffic when the roadway is running at full capacity," Hassinger said. "So during rush hour and when things get congested in certain spots the speed limit is going to come down to try to get more traffic through a specific area."
The Missouri State Highway Patrol says they will give drivers warnings in the beginning as motorists learn about the variable speed limit.
The speed limit will go as low as 40 mph during the heaviest congestion.