Speed limits being lowered on three Bend roads

Following community input and engineering analysis, the city of Bend announced Monday that speed limits will be lowered this month on the following road sections:

· O.B. Riley Road between Hardy Road and Cooley Road – from 45 mph to 40 mph

· Boyd Acres Road from Butler Market Road to Morningstar Drive – from 40 mph to 35 mph

· American Lane from Reed Market Road to Brosterhous Road – from not posted to 35 mph

The new speed limit signs will have orange warning flags on top for a few weeks to call attention to the changes.

“These speed changes were requested by members of our community in response to changing traffic and development along the corridors,” the city announcement said.

In Oregon, speeds for roads within the city that are not highways or local residential streets – such as the aforementioned road sections — are set by the Oregon Department of Transportation.

The new speed limits are established based on a traffic study that looks at existing driving speeds, road characteristics, adjacent land use, access locations and more.

The city is asking drivers to pay attention to the new speed changes and be aware of conditions.

Oregon’s basic rule speed law requires driving at the speed that is safe for conditions – which may be slower than the posted speed.

“With winter here, it is especially important to pay attention to your speed and road conditions. Drive safely,” the city announcement concluded.