Early Saturday morning, you'll see new speed limit signs posted on Interstate 39/90, from Madison to just past Beloit.
WisDOT Project Communications Manager Steven Theisen told WKOW early Friday evening the speed limit reduction to 55 mph is based on safety concerns between Beloit and Madison.
A news release from the agency early Friday evening also says Wisconsin State troopers will be increasing patrols along the corridor. That will include more troopers on the highway in addition to aerial surveillance to enforce speed limits and other traffic laws.
The exact area of the 55 mph enforcement is from the Interstate 39/90 work zone from just south of the US 12/18 (Beltline) Interchange near Madison, to about three miles north of the Wisconsin-Illinois border. Two lanes of Interstate traffic are maintained in each direction during daytime hours.
Theisen says in the news release that penalties for speeding are doubled in work zones and may range up to $600. A second violation within a year may carry a penalty of up to $1,200.
Careless drivers may face fines of up to $700 and a possible 3 ½ years in prison if they injure someone in a work zone. The fines for vehicular manslaughter are even higher, as are the prison terms – as many as 10 years.
These punishments may increase if the driver was intoxicated or a repeat offender.
Also, it's illegal to talk on a cell phone while driving in a Wisconsin work zone. Drivers caught in violation face fines of up to $40 on first offense and $100 for subsequent offenses.
Theisen also says if you don't see workers, that doesn’t mean they’re not there. He says to observe the signs until you see one that says you’ve left the work zone.
Information on the I-39/90 Expansion Project can be found at www.i39-90.wi.gov.
For more go to WKOW: http://www.wkow.com/story/38330432/2018/06/01/speed-limit-reduced-to-55-mph-on-interstate-3990-madison-to-beloit