The trip from Fayette to Glasgow, and vice versa, is about to be a little shorter. Not in distance, but in time.

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) has approved a request to increase the speed from 55 to 60 miles per hour along the roughly 10-mile stretch of Highway 5 between County Road 209 (near the Howard County Veterinary office) and Highway 87.

Howard County Western District Commissioner Mat Freese made the request to MoDOT about two years ago. After looking at the road and conducting a study that measured the speeds of drivers under the current 55 MPH speed limit, the state agency agreed to raise the speed limit by five miles per hour.

Highway 5 and 240 is relatively straight along the stretch in question and becomes considerably wider between the Highway 3 turnoff—commonly referred to as “the triangle”—and where it intersects with Highway 87 south of Glasgow.

While most highways in this part of the state are regulated to 55 miles per hour between towns, the speed limit on Highway 40 between New Franklin and Midway has been 60 MPH for decades. 

The new speed limit will go into effect as soon as signs showing the 60 MPH limit have been placed along the road.