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North Bend council adopts ODOT speed study, asks agency to consider 35 mph on U.S. 101
Summary
After extended public comment and council deliberation, the North Bend City Council voted Oct. 28 to adopt ODOT’s speed study for U.S. Highway 101 through the city, concur with reducing a 45 mph segment to 40 mph and formally request that ODOT consider a 35 mph limit for the segment; the motion passed with one councilor opposed.
The North Bend City Council on Oct. 28 voted to adopt the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) speed study for U.S. Highway 101 through North Bend and to concur with ODOT’s proposed reduction of a 45‑mph zone to 40 mph, while adding a formal request that ODOT consider reducing that segment to 35 mph. Councilor Slater moved the motion; Councilor Jones seconded it. The motion carried with one councilor opposed.
The vote followed public comment from residents who called for lower posted speeds and more traffic calming. "I personally think there should be a maximum 30 mile an hour speed limit in all city limits," said Mike Powder, who described himself as an advocate for all forms of transportation and said he had asked the council to reject recent ODOT recommendations and reevaluate posted speeds. Another resident from Coos Bay described recent local fatalities and urged more protective measures for pedestrians and bicyclists.
Councilors debated whether to accept ODOT’s 40‑mph recommendation or press for a 35‑mph limit. During discussion, council members cited competing factors: long‑standing posted limits in some stretches, newer vehicle safety features, increased pedestrian and bicycle traffic associated with new businesses, heavier truck traffic while rail service is limited, and limits to enforcement capacity. An on‑duty traffic officer told councilors that enforcement typically targets drivers going substantially above posted limits and that reducing the posted limit does not guarantee universal compliance but can lower speeds for many drivers.
The motion directs staff to convey North Bend’s concurrence with the ODOT study and to include a council request that ODOT further consider a 35‑mph posting for the identified segment. Councilors and staff discussed next steps for communicating with ODOT and noted the agency retains final authority over posted limits on state highways.
The council’s formal action records the city council adopting the ODOT speed study for US‑101 through North Bend and requesting further consideration of a 35‑mph limit for the portion previously posted at 45 mph.
