Oregon Speed Zone Review Panel to discuss Joseph-Wallowa Lake Highway, December 13
By Garrett Christensen on Thursday, December 12th, 2024 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
JOSEPH – The Oregon Department of Transportation’s Speed Zone Review Panel will meet Virtually on Friday, December 13, at 9 a.m. to discuss a speed zone change for a portion the Joseph-Wallowa Lake Highway (Highway 351) within Joseph City limits. As listed by ODOT in a recent press release:
“A reduction in the speed limit from 30 mph to 25 mph on Joseph-Wallowa Lake Highway in Joseph in Wallowa County, requested by the City of Joseph.”
The panel will also discuss a proposed speed zone reduction of 35mph to 25mph along Northeast Arata Road in the city of Wood Village in Multnomah County. Joining instructions are as follows:
“The panel will consider testimony from applicants, from ODOT and from the public.
The meeting is open to the public at Join Microsoft Teams Meeting or by calling +1 971-277-1965; Conference ID: 919 561 995#. Accommodations will be provided to persons with disabilities. To request accommodation, please call (503) 986-3580 at least 48 hours in advance (TTY: 711).”
ODOT also provided the following information on the speed zone decision process in the press release.
(From ODOT):
“The Oregon Speed Zone Review Panel doesn’t meet on a regular schedule but upon submission of speed zone change requests, usually two or three times a year. The Dec. 13 meeting will be the panel’s third meeting of 2024. It previously met in February and May.
How speed zone decisions are made
In Oregon, most decisions regarding speed zones are made jointly by ODOT and the authority governing the road, such as a city or a county. ODOT has the responsibility to investigate roads for establishing new speed zones or changing posted speeds of existing speed zones. ODOT performs these investigations at the request of the road authority.
If the recommended speed is of mutual agreement between ODOT and the local road authority, the speed zone is established. If mutual agreement cannot be reached, the speed zone decision is referred to the Speed Zone Review Panel. The panel receives testimony from ODOT, the local road authority, and interested parties and makes the final decision. The panel also serves as an advisory body to the department.
The Oregon Speed Zone Review Panel is comprised of representatives from the Governor’s Transportation Safety Committee, the Oregon State Police, the Association of Oregon Counties, the League of Oregon Cities, and ODOT.”
