LRB-5399/5
PEN:kmg&skg:ch
1995 - 1996 LEGISLATURE
February 9, 1996 - Introduced by Senator A. Lasee, cosponsored by Representative
Brandemuehl. Referred to Committee on Transportation, Agriculture and
Local Affairs.
SB541,1,4
1An Act to renumber 346.57 (1) (a);
to amend 346.57 (4) (gm), 346.57 (6) (b),
2349.11 (2) (intro.), 349.11 (2) (a), 349.11 (2) (b) and 349.11 (2) (c); and
to create
3346.57 (1) (ag) and (am) of the statutes;
relating to: the maximum speed limit
4applicable to motor vehicles traveling on certain state trunk highways.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Under current law, no person may drive a motor vehicle faster than the
maximum speed limit provided by law. Current law establishes a maximum speed
limit of 55 miles per hour, or 65 miles per hour on any freeway for which federal law
provides for such a speed limit. The national maximum speed limit provided a speed
limit of 65 miles per hour for any Interstate highway located outside of an urbanized
area of 50,000 population or more, and for portions of U.S. highways 12 and 51. The
federal government repealed the national maximum speed limit effective December
9, 1995.
The bill establishes a maximum speed limit of 65 miles per hour only on certain
state trunk highways that meet the definition of freeway or expressway. A "freeway"
is defined as any state trunk highway at the entrances to which vehicular traffic from
intersecting highways is required to stop, that has 4 or more lanes of traffic separated
by a barrier or by a paved or landscaped strip between opposing traffic, that gives
preference to through traffic by limiting access to only interchanges, and that the
department of transportation (DOT) designates as a through highway. An
"expressway" is defined as any state trunk highway at the entrances to which
vehicular traffic from intersecting highways is required to stop, and that DOT: 1)
determines has 4 or more lanes of traffic separated by a barrier or by a paved or
landscaped strip between opposing traffic; 2) determines gives preference to through
traffic by use of interchanges or by limiting at-grade access to selected public roads
and driveways; and 3) designates as a through highway.
This speed limit of 65 miles per hour does not take effect until DOT posts the
limit by official traffic signs.
For further information see the state fiscal estimate, which will be printed as
an appendix to this bill.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
SB541, s. 1
1Section
1. 346.57 (1) (a) of the statutes is renumbered 346.57 (1) (ar).
SB541, s. 2
2Section
2. 346.57 (1) (ag) and (am) of the statutes are created to read:
SB541,2,73
346.57
(1) (ag) "Expressway" means a through highway that is a state trunk
4highway and that, as determined by the department, has 4 or more lanes of traffic
5physically separated by a median or barrier and gives preference to through traffic
6by utilizing interchanges or limiting at-grade access to selected public roads and
7public driveways.
SB541,2,108
(am) "Freeway" means a through highway that is a state trunk highway and
9that has 4 or more lanes of traffic physically separated by a median or barrier and
10that gives preference to through traffic by limiting access to interchanges only.
SB541, s. 3
11Section
3. 346.57 (4) (gm) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB541,2,1512
346.57
(4) (gm) 65 miles per hour on any freeway
for which a limit of 65 miles
13per hour is provided under federal law, as determined by the department. To the
14extent so determined, the limit under this paragraph applies to USH 51 and STH 78
15or expressway.
SB541, s. 4
16Section
4. 346.57 (6) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB541,2,2117
346.57
(6) (b) The limit specified under sub. (4) (gm) is not effective unless
18official signs giving notice of the limit have been erected by the department.
The
19department may not erect or maintain such signs unless the department determines
20that the limit under sub. (4) (gm) is in conformity with the applicable national
21maximum speed limit.
SB541, s. 5
1Section
5. 349.11 (2) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB541,3,22
349.11
(2) (intro.) The department may not
do any of the following:
SB541, s. 6
3Section
6. 349.11 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB541,3,54
349.11
(2) (a) Declare a speed limit which is in excess of the limits stated in s.
5346.57 (4) (h), except as provided in s. 346.57 (4) (gm)
; or.
SB541, s. 7
6Section
7. 349.11 (2) (b) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB541,3,77
349.11
(2) (b) Modify the limits stated in s. 346.57 (4) (c) or 346.58 (1)
; or.
SB541, s. 8
8Section
8. 349.11 (2) (c) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB541,3,139
349.11
(2) (c) Modify the statutory speed limit on more than 2,000 miles of state
10trunk highways. The first mile outside of and immediately adjacent to any
11incorporated municipality shall not be counted in computing such 2,000 miles.
This
12paragraph does not apply to freeways or to expressways, as defined in s. 346.57 (1)
13(ag) and (am).
SB541,3,16
15(1)
This act takes effect on the first day of the 3rd month beginning after
16publication.
