Oregon Panel Reviews Proposed Speed Reductions on River Road and 101

The Oregon Speed Zone Review Panel scheduled a public hearing for December 9, 2025 to evaluate two formal requests to lower posted speeds. One application, filed jointly by the City of Eugene and Lane County, seeks to reduce speeds on River Road between Azalea Drive and north of Beacon Drive from current 40 and 45 miles per hour to 35 miles per hour. The second request, from the cities of North Bend and Coos Bay, would cut the posted speed on a segment of U.S. 101 near Stanton Avenue and Hemlock Avenue from 45 miles per hour to 35 miles per hour.

The meeting will be held in person at the Oregon Department of Transportation Mill Creek Building in Salem. Officials will also accept virtual participation via Microsoft Teams or by phone. The panel intends to hear testimony from the applicants and from members of the public. Accommodations are available for people with disabilities, and the meeting notice includes contact information for ODOT staff for those who need further assistance or details about participation.

For Lane County residents, the River Road proposal matters for daily commutes, school and neighborhood crossings, bicycle and pedestrian access, and local deliveries. A change to 35 miles per hour would align that corridor with efforts elsewhere to reduce speeds in mixed use and residential areas. On the coast, the proposed reduction on U.S. 101 would affect motorists traveling through North Bend and Coos Bay and could alter travel times for local trips and commercial traffic.

The panel will weigh engineering data, safety considerations and public testimony before making a recommendation. Community members who wish to influence the outcome should plan to attend or submit comments through the participation options provided. The proceedings reflect larger trends in traffic management that emphasize lower speeds to improve safety and livability while balancing mobility and emergency response needs.