Speed Limit Dropped

Grand Teton National Park officials have announced plans to lower the speed limit on Highway 89 within the park’s boundaries in order to reduce wildlife mortality and the potential of  injury to visitors and community members.  During a joint meeting of the County Commissioners and Town Council, Grand Teton National Park Superintendent Mary Gibson Scott said that the speed limit will change from 55 to 45 miles per hour during nighttime hours. According to Wyoming law, this will mean a half hour after sunset and a half hour before sunrise.  Both the Town Council and County Commissioners were in unanimous support of the plan and Mayor Mark Barron even suggested that perhaps the park should alter the speed limit in the daytime too. However, Scott says that daytime collisions with wildlife are not as significant as they are during evening hours.