The U.S. 421 corridor was not designed for speeds higher than 55 miles per hour, said N.C. Department of Transportation division engineer Joseph Chance.
“Federal guidelines have to be met for pavement, shoulder and median widths before the speed limit can be raised or lowered. The cost of making changes would outweigh the benefits if the road was retrofitted to meet the standards for higher speeds,” Chance said.
Chance added that it’s also important to note that U.S. 421 “is a partially controlled access road with several at-grade intersections along the corridor.”
Date posted: September 20, 2010
User-contributed question by:
Jessie
On this matter of HWY 421 the speed limit years ago were 60 miles an hour for it was the only way to get to Raleigh and other parts of NC for I traveled it a lot and remember in was a boring ride because there was nothing on it at all. So someone doesn’t have there facts straight, but it could be changed and there we go that would be what the President is trying to create now jobs for Highways and other Road Construction. So if we know that there is problems with this HWY then get it to the White House now and the New By-Pass that stops at 421 that goes to Jacksonville. We know these things so lets get the right person to start getting funds for these problems and put people back to work now!!!!!! Stop everyone with excuses and lets get it done. There is a old saying which is very very true CAN”T never could do nothing but can does. We need people working for their self and their families and if you didn’t have a job you would probably be able and ready to get something done about this.Don’t come back and say the President don’t want this to happen for he does want people working and taking care their families. Let get him aware of this not the Governor for she isn’t going to help us at all she is out for,if she wasn’t for herself she would have the schools in the shape they are in at this moment.
The speed limit along US 421 was 60mph -and 70mph in several sections- before the 1974 Emergency Highway Energy Conservation Act prohibited speeds above 55mph.
It is so absolutely true that 421 speed limits were 60 & 70 mph so now all of sudden the road isn’t built for it? HUH! So not true
Is it possible that the guidelines have changed? Previously the speed limit may have been higher than 55 but because the laws have changed, the road no longer meets the new guidelines. It doesn’t mean someone is lying.