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SPRINGFIELD, ILL. (AP) -- The Illinois Department of Transportation says it will remove 55 mph speed-limit signs aimed at truckers along rural interstates early next year as the speed limit for trucks that weigh more than 4 tons increases to 65 mph.

Transportation Department spokeswoman Paris Ervin says workers will begin removing and modifying the signs the week of Jan. 4. Ervin says the effort should cost about $75,000. The 55 mph signs need to be removed on about 1,800 miles of Illinois roads.

Enforcement of the new speed limit for truckers starts Jan. 1. The Illinois State Police says to avoid confusion it asked the state transportation department to wait to change the speed limit signs until after that date.

Information from: The State Journal-Register, http://www.sj-r.com

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

(Copyright ©2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)