Higher speed limits on rural portions of Interstates 35 and 40 were approved by the Oklahoma Transportation Commission.

Six locations on the two interstates totaling 179 of Interstate 35’s 236 miles in the state and 220 of Interstate 40’s 331 miles in the state will see the changes.

Engineering studies showed that the change is safe but the new limits won’t apply in metropolitan areas, including within Tulsa and Oklahoma City.

The speed limit on Interstate 35 from north of the Oklahoma-Logan county line north 88.6 miles to the Kansas state line will increase to 75 mph from 70.

In addition, I-35’s speed limit will rise to 75 mph from 70 from the Texas state line north 90.2 miles to just south of the Oklahoma 74 underpass near Purcell in McClain County.

The largest section of Interstate 40 to see higher speeds is from just east of the Oklahoma 18 overpass near Shawnee extending east 115.7 miles to just west of Sallisaw.

The limit there also will rise to 75 mph from 70. The change could take a few months.