Bend Backs Bill to Allow Cities to Lower Residential Speed Limits

SALEM, Ore. (AP) – The city of Bend is backing legislation that would allow it to lower speed limits in some residential areas below what is currently allowed by state law.

Senate Bill 558 is before the Senate for approval. It advanced Monday from the Joint Committee on Transportation on an 11-1 vote.

The Bulletin reports the legislation would allow a city to reduce speed on some highways by 5 miles per hour lower than the state-mandated speed.

The reduction is limited to streets that are located in residential districts and that are not an arterial highway.

Cities would be required to put up new speed limit signs where the maximum speed is reduced.