They Do It Big in Texas: House Approves 85 MPH Speed Limit

AUSTIN, Texas -- The Texas House has given final approval to a bill that could up the speed limit on some highways to 85 mph.

The Texas Senate is considering a similar bill, which would make the state's speed limit the highest in the nation.

The measure by Brenham state Rep. Lois Kolkhorst, which won initial approval Wednesday, is part of a larger transportation bill. Final approval came Thursday.

The bill would authorize the Texas Department of Transportation to raise the speed limit on designated lanes or entire stretches of roadway after doing engineering and traffic studies. Texas currently has more than 500 miles of interstate highways where the speed limit is 80 mph.
Critics have raised safety and fuel-saving concerns.