North Bend council weighs lowering speed on US-101 after ODOT study; debate centers on 40 vs. 35 mph

City staff reviewed an ODOT speed study for the US-101 corridor between Washington and the Coos Bay city limits and presented two options: concur with ODOT’s recommendation to reduce one segment to 40 mph, or adopt an alternative recommendation of 35 mph for enhanced safety.

Ralph, the public-works representative, summarized the study’s findings and noted Coos Bay has already ratified 40 mph on its side of the corridor. The ODOT study cited differing accident rates in corridor segments — staff cited figures of about 0.55 incidents per 100,000 vehicles on one segment and roughly 1.62 incidents per 100,000 on another — as part of its rationale for differential posted speeds. Councilors questioned whether reducing the posted limit alone would improve safety when drivers routinely exceed the posted speed, and some members favored complementary measures such as additional striping, signage and targeted enforcement.

Council discussion also referenced local conditions: increased truck traffic due to a bridge issue, pedestrian activity near the Liberty Theater (a 20-mph downtown zone), and recent development near Kuzbeh Village and Planet Fitness that prompted the speed study. Staff presented an alternative motion that would concur with a reduction to 40 mph while formally requesting ODOT consider 35 mph; councilors were split and indicated the alternative and the ODOT recommendation would both be options for tomorrow’s council meeting.

No formal vote was taken during the work session; staff said a formal motion and vote would be possible at the Oct. 28 council meeting.