PORTLAND, Ore. – Drivers in Portland and along the Oregon Coast will soon see lower speed limits on portions of two major roadways after the Oregon Speed Zone Review Panel approved reductions on Tuesday.
Columbia Boulevard: One Stretch Gets Reduced Speed
The panel voted to lower the speed limit from 40 mph to 35 mph on North Columbia Boulevard in Portland, but only for a 1.6-mile section between North Upland Drive and North Portsmouth Avenue.
The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) had requested lowering the speed limit for the entire stretch between North Burgard Road and North Interstate Place. PBOT cited a troubling record: between 2020 and 2025, there were 29 serious and fatal crashes, seven of which were speed-related.
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However, an ODOT speed zone investigation showed that overall crash rates on Columbia Boulevard were actually below the average for similar roadways. The data also revealed that most drivers already exceed the posted limit, regardless of whether it is set at 35 or 40 mph.
As a result, ODOT recommended keeping the existing speed limit along most of Columbia Boulevard, except for the more residential section between Upland and Portsmouth. The panel ultimately agreed.
Debate Over Effectiveness
Panel members expressed mixed views during deliberations. One member suggested that increased enforcement, not speed reductions, would be more effective in curbing reckless driving. Another raised concerns that lowering the limit along the entire roadway would do little to change driver behavior without road design changes or other safety measures.
Still, Columbia Boulevard remains part of Portland’s “high crash network,” a designation for 30 streets and intersections with the most serious accidents.
Recent tragedies illustrate the risks:
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In August 2025, a pedestrian was struck and killed on Columbia Boulevard.
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In July 2025, a man was seriously injured in a head-on collision at Columbia Boulevard and North Interstate Avenue.
Highway 101: Yachats Pushes for Safer Speeds
The panel also considered requests from the city of Yachats, which sought a reduction on U.S. Route 101 (the Oregon Coast Highway) after a deadly crash involving an ambulance last year.
The city originally proposed dropping speeds from 40 mph to 25 mph along two sections of Highway 101:
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Between 50 feet north of Overleaf Lodge Lane and East 9th Street.
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From 200 feet south of Yachats River Bridge to 250 feet south of Windy Way.
Instead, the panel authorized ODOT to establish a 35-mph speed limit on those segments. The condition: ODOT must work with Yachats officials to review the transition points between higher and lower speeds (55 mph, 35 mph, and 25 mph) to improve consistency for drivers.
For Yachats residents, the changes represent progress in a push for safer streets in an area where pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles share narrow sections of roadway.
How the Panel Works
The Oregon Speed Zone Review Panel meets on an as-needed basis to evaluate contested speed zones. This was the panel’s first meeting of 2025.
The panel is composed of representatives from:
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The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT)
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The Governor’s Transportation Safety Committee
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The Oregon State Police
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The Association of Oregon Counties
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The League of Oregon Cities
Their decisions balance crash history, roadway design, enforcement feasibility, and community requests.
What Drivers Can Expect
Drivers should expect to see new speed limit signs installed in the coming months on both Columbia Boulevard and Highway 101. Local law enforcement agencies will also be watching for compliance, especially in areas with a history of severe crashes.
For Portland, the change affects a small but significant section of a roadway with a history of deadly collisions. For Yachats, the adjustments reflect community-driven advocacy aimed at preventing further tragedies along the coast.
