ODOT decides against lowering speed limit near City of Cove outskirts
By Garrett Christensen on Thursday, June 13th, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
COVE – During a meeting on Friday, May 31, between the City of Cove and the Oregon Department of Transportation, the latter decided against lowering the speed limit along a section of the Cove Highway near Cove’s city limits. The city had requested that a currently 30mph speed zone at the intersection of the Cove Highway and Antles Road, just as the highway turns into Jasper Street in Cove proper, to be reduced to 25 mph. According to Cove Public Works Director Dave Johnson, the change was largely requested for the sake of pedestrian safety, particularly for people using the sidewalks near the intersection.
Following the city’s initial request, ODOT recommended instead maintaining the 30mph limit. While an ODOT statement in the description of the meeting acknowledges that sections of road of this type (collector & suburban/residential) generally have an allowed speed range of 25 mph – 35mph, it was still recommended to keep the 30mph limit. This recommendation was maintained by ODOT during the May 31 meeting “based on the context of the roadway, pace limits, percent in pace and measured 85th and 50th percentile speeds.”
