BELFAIR — If you regularly drive State Route 3 from Gorst to Belfair, be prepared for a commute that’s five miles per hour slower.

The permanent speed reduction impacts SR 3 from milepost 27.1 to 34.02.

Washington State Department of Transportation crews will begin replacing existing 55 mph speed-limit signs with signs identifying 50 mph as the new limit. The crews will be making the changes during the week of May 8, according to a WSDOT news release.

The lowered speed limit will be enforceable as soon as the signs are posted. The change is a result of a WSDOT speed study, according to spokeswoman Shari King.