Traffic engineers seek safety and consistency in speed limit changes

Published on May 8, 2025

A section of Balch Road, between Balch Road/US Hwy. 72 to Capshaw Road, dropped from 45 to 40 miles per hour (MPH). This matches the speed limit along other sections of Balch Road under Madison County jurisdiction.

At the East-End of I-565 where the road continues as US Hwy. 72, the City requested the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) adjust the speed limit to 55 MPH along the controlled access road where it extends east for approximately 3.6 miles to the City limit at Martinson Blvd.

This action required ALDOT to raise the speed limit from 50 to 55 MPH at end of controlled access highway and lower the speed limit east of Shields Rd to the City limit from 65 to 55 MPH.

Traffic Engineering Director Nick Nene said the changes stem from his department’s annual review of major traffic corridors.

“Safety and consistency is key,” said Nene. “We look at growth, the addition of new developments, increase or decrease in volume of traffic, and speed study analysis to determine whether speed limits should be adjusted within our guidelines. It’s part of an ever growing and changing city.”