BURKE COUNTY, N.C. -- The North Carolina Department of Transportation and Highway Patrol are lowering the speed limit on a stretch of Interstate 40.

• The NCDOT is moving the speed limit from 65 mph to 55 mph from exits 111 to 116 on Interstate 40.
• The new projects on the road are expected to finish in 2021.
• NCDOT says this speed reduction should add 48 more seconds to drivers' commute. 

This comes after they saw a 20 percent increase in accidents in Burke County. The new speed limit in this section will be 55 mph, down from 65 mph.

There has been construction between exits 111 and 116 for months, and the projects are slated to finish in 2021.

The NCDOT wants drivers to pay attention and stay safe. They also added an increased fine for violators, as well as more barrels and signs ahead of the construction zone.

NCDOT says this speed reduction should only add 48 more seconds to this five-mile section.