HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-28-18 Public Comment - B. Phillips - I-90 Speed LimitFrom: Bundy P
To: commission@gallatin.mt.gov; Agenda
Subject: Interstate 90 thru Bozeman-Belgrade area
Date: Sunday, January 28, 2018 12:05:11 PM
FASTER FASTER FASTER:::
I am writing to support the idea of lowering the speed limit thru the 75 mph zone on I-90 (Bozeman-
Belgrade) to 65 mph. I totally agree with the reason for lowering of the speed limit for safety
reasons. In the Chronicle article from Sat 1/27/17 I think it did not list all of the potential safety
factors nor reasons. Things like: congestion, increased traffic flow, divided attention, everybody’s in
a hurry, etc are other reasons. My personal hang-ups: drivers talking on cell phones, texting,
fidgeting, applying makeup, shaving and other distractions are other reasons.
I think it is most ridiculous to say “Don’t move here and try to turn us into back there” as was stated
in the Chronicle. Like we (you) are so perfect here in Montana. I remember the argument for
increasing the speed limit to 80, …because adjacent states are doing it. So now how does that fit
with the argument against lowering the speed limit (“…don’t make it like back there”). Seems
hypocritical, doesn’t it!! How about the idea that we set a trend for adjacent states to follow – raise
the speed limit to 85 mph on the interstate. Plus with the posted speed limit of 75 mph – doesn’t
that mean that people will drive 80 or 85 mph anyway, 65 mph they drive 70 or 75... Ask MHP about
that concept and see what they say. Seems a lot of drivers think that the posted speed limit signs
are the minimum speeds to drive (me, NOT included).
There are many other ‘urban highways-interstates’ (in Montana, mind you) like thru Billings, Great
Falls, Missoula, Helena, Butte where the speed limit is reduced to 65 mph on interstate highways.
And the argument to wait until the population reaches 50,000 – ugh – what’s the reasoning there??
And also, just because a traffic study was conducted 2 years ago, that doesn’t mean that it applies to
right now. I realize that traffic studies are time consuming and expensive, but that’s the breaks
dudes – the growth of the Gallatin Valley is light speed.
Bundy Phillips
2460 Bergamot Court
P O Box
Bozeman, MT 59771
406-587-4569