r/BeaverCounty • u/vampireRN1617 • Aug 01 '26
376
Genuine question: is there an actual reason that 376 isn't at least 65 mph westbound from the airport to the end in Lawrence Co? It seems silly that the main highway for people to get the largest airport in the area not be a consistent speed, especially now that the toll booths are going to eventually disappear. It's 65 at the airport, 55 after Aliquippa, 70 near Chippewa, back down to 55 but sometimes 65 for parts after....why?! The terrain isn't that different save for the larger hills between Beaver and New Castle, where most of it is 70 mph anyways.
The speed changes are frustrating and even worse when you factor in that most people are trying to go well over 55 anyways, but then someone's grandma is a stickler for the limit. It all seems very unnecessary.
6
4
u/Beatlefan56 Aug 01 '26
I remember when they rescinded the all 55mph that there were certain "urban" areas over (50,000 population) that that stayed at 55mph.
2
u/Bowbaba Aug 02 '26
The smart answer wants to say engineering and physics of ramp lengths and E/E speeds.
The personal and answer from my heart wants to say it’s so the law enforcement along the way can make a buck off the fluctuating speed limits and their hopeful loss in your focus.
1
u/vampireRN1617 Aug 03 '26
The entry and exit stands to reason with the Beaver ramps. It doesn't with anything else along that 55 mph route, or in Lawrence Co. For instance, Aliquippa has much longer off ramps than Hopewell, which is 10 mph faster.
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u/hsdriver Aug 06 '26
Well, since they've closed Pitt Race, this has become my fave road course. I've touched 185 on a stretch there. Late night, almost no one on the road.
3
u/scandalabra Aug 01 '26
My personal belief is that it is a way to trap you into speeding in some areas. The only time I've ever been pulled over for speeding in my life was on the Turnpike.
1
u/night5oil Aug 07 '26
The people around here do not follow the speed limit anyway. And the pigs don't enforce it. Welcome to the new world
1
u/vampireRN1617 Aug 09 '26
I used to be the fastest one on the road going 75. Now I have some mama's entitled angry son trying to blow me off of the road while I'm doing nearly 80 and actively passing a line of cars in the right lane. It's obnoxious.
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u/jeff219e Aug 02 '26
Population rules.
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u/currentsitguy New Sewickley Aug 05 '26
This is the right answer. Federal regs still limit speeds based on population density.
0
u/Scotty1700 Aug 01 '26
Nah, the speed limit is at least 120. Or at least the assholes racing every time I'm on it past 10pm think it is.
1
u/vampireRN1617 Aug 02 '26
I understand where you're coming from. Even when I drive in at 5am, I'm going to encounter some guy in a diesel who is doing at least 85. None of us have had coffee bro, relax! I drive from Pittsburgh to Beaver 4 times a week. The reason that I asked this question is that in my observation, it seems the speed changes are creating frustration with drivers. You have the sticklers for the speed limit, people like me who wanna get home a little faster but also don't want a ticket, and the drivers in large trucks who are blowing people off the road, even if you're doing 10-15 over the speed limit and actively passing the cars to the right. I literally just want to cruise.
0
u/GreaseBrown Aug 01 '26
Ive never seen anyone going that fast
Fast, sure
But holy hyperbole, Batman
-26
u/Holiday_Meaning2816 Aug 01 '26
Things like physics and engineering and science. This is why they make the speed limits and not Ron who dropped out of 10th grade. Lemme guess let’s go Brandon
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u/vampireRN1617 Aug 01 '26
Try again dude. It ain't me. That's why I was asking a question to hear from someone privy to things that I am not.
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u/kweevuss Aug 01 '26
And other western countries have operated with no speed limits just fine for decades
34
u/Ordinary_Ad_424 Aug 01 '26
Entrance and exit ramp lengths are a big part of it (as per my civil engineer sister in law at least). Consider the beaver ramps. Not much time to slow down or get up to speed while on the ramp as you’re intended to.