39:4-98.5. Speed limit of 65mph established, certain highways

4. a. Within four months following the effective date of this act, the commissioner, in consultation with the Attorney General and the authorities, shall establish by written order speed limits of 65 miles per hour on approximately 400 miles of eligible public highways. The commissioner, pursuant to section 7 of this act, may increase or decrease the number of miles of eligible public highways on which a 65 miles per hour speed limit has been established.

b. An order to be issued pursuant to subsection a. of this section shall cite the eligible public highways to which it is to be applicable and contain a description in plain language of the order's contents, the effective date of the order and any other information the commissioner deems necessary.

c. The commissioner shall cause a general public notice of the proposed order, including a summary of the provisions of the proposed order, to be published in a newspaper or newspapers having general circulation in the municipality or municipalities affected by the order. The notice shall include a telephone number or address which a member of the public may use to receive a copy of the complete text of the proposed order and shall provide for a 30-day period from the date of publication for public comment. The order shall be final on the 31st day after publication of the notice or on a later date if the commissioner so determines. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as prohibiting the commissioner from extending the comment period or from modifying or withdrawing the proposed order as a result of the review of public comment.

d. A final order shall be effective and enforceable upon compliance with the requirement for the posting of signs providing notice of the speed limit, as provided under the applicable provisions of R.S.39:4-98 and R.S.39:4-198.

e. Any official traffic control device established pursuant to this section shall conform to the "Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices."

f. Any order issued pursuant to this section shall be binding and enforceable under the provisions of Title 39 of the Revised Statutes and all other applicable laws, in any court of competent jurisdiction, until superseded by order of the commissioner pursuant to this act.

L.1997,c.415, s.4.