State panel to consider interstate speed limit raising, reductions
At the Oregon Transportation Commission meeting on Friday, Sept. 22 in Salem, commissioners will discuss recommendations the Speed Zone Panel made earlier this year after reviewing studies and collecting input regarding potential speed limit increases for trucks on the interstate.
The panel’s two recommendations are:
Raise the truck speed limit for interstate highways from 55 mph to 60 mph where it is posted at 55 mph. These segments are located in three mainly rural corridors: I-5 south of Portland, I-205 from I-5 to West Linn, and I-84 from Troutdale to The Dalles. Lower the maximum speed limit on the section of I-5 through Roseburg to 60 mph for cars, and leave it at 55 mph for trucks.
The Speed Zone Review Panel’s recommendation is based on setting the speed limit at a reasonable and safe speed under the conditions found to exist and as indicated by engineering investigation and comments received from the public.
The two studies that helped inform the recommendations are “Engineering Investigation Report – Oregon Interstate Speed, June 2017,” prepared by ODOT’s Traffic-Roadway Section and the “Update to Issues Report for Interstate Speed Changes, June 2017,” developed by Portland State University. These reports and related materials are available for review online (see agenda item M).
Feedback is accepted via email at interstatespeedcomments@odot.state.or.us or at the commission meeting in the Gail Achterman Room of the Transportation Building, 355 Capitol St. NE in Salem. The agenda item is scheduled for discussion at 3 p.m.*, Friday, Sept. 22.
For more information, visit the OTC website.
*Times can change during meetings; for this item, we recommend coming to the meeting earlier than 3 p.m. The meeting will be live-streamed at www.youtube.com/user/OregonDOT/live.
