NCDOT says it will bump up the speed limit later this month on about 25 miles of U.S. 1 from Apex through Sanford -- allowing drivers to go 70mph instead of the current 65mph limit.

The new speed limit will cover U.S. 1 from its new interchange with the Triangle Expressway 540 Outer Loop in southern Apex (which opens to traffic in December) to a spot just north of Tramway in Lee County, on the south side of Sanford, through parts of Wake, Chatham and Lee counties.

NCDOT concluded the higher speed limit was justified after considering current speeds, the crash history and characteristics of the roadway alignment on this part of U.S. 1.