Salem Council Will Vote on Lowering Speed Limits
The city council will consider a proposal to reduce residential speed limits from 25 mph to 20 mph on September 28, 2026.
Updated on Sept. 27, 2026 in City Hall
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Salem City Council is set to vote on a new ordinance to lower residential speed limits to 20 mph during a public hearing on September 28, 2026. This initiative aims to improve pedestrian safety by increasing driver reaction time.
Why it matters
The proposal leverages state legislative authority to reduce vehicle speeds in an effort to eliminate pedestrian fatalities. Increasing safety is a central goal of the city's Vision Zero program, which was backed by a federal grant.
The proposal rests on data showing a 93% pedestrian survival rate at 20 mph compared to a 75% rate at 25 mph. The program requires the installation of 3,000 new speed signs.
The players
Salem City Council
This is the legislative body for the city of Salem that is responsible for voting on local ordinances and managing municipal programs.
Oregon Legislature
This state government body passed Senate Bill 558 in 2019 to grant cities the authority to lower residential speed limits.
The details
If the ordinance passes, the city will initiate a year-long project to install approximately 3,000 new speed limit signs starting in late 2026. The change is supported by a $2.8 million federal grant awarded for the Vision Zero program in 2023.
Timeline
The Oregon Legislature passed Senate Bill 558 in 2019.
The federal government awarded the grant to Salem in 2023.
The City Council will hold a public hearing and vote on September 28, 2026.
Crews will begin installing the new speed signs in late 2026.
The sign installation process is expected to finish in late 2027.
Political Context
This legislative proposal follows the framework established by Oregon Senate Bill 558, which enables cities to adjust local speed limits. Opposition to similar urban traffic measures often focuses on the potential for increased congestion and the logistical cost of city-wide sign replacement.
Residents should anticipate a transition to lower speed limits throughout residential neighborhoods if the ordinance is approved. The physical installation of the new signage is projected to occur over the course of one year starting in late 2026.
The takeaway
Drivers in residential zones will need to adjust to lower speeds once the new signs are installed to remain compliant. The city's move to prioritize pedestrian safety through speed regulation represents a growing national trend in urban planning.
Further reading
Learn more about local legislative updates on the City Hall section.
More information
To participate in the upcoming hearing, visit the public meeting comment registration portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Tri-City Herald.
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Should your city lower residential speed limits to 20 mph to improve pedestrian safety?
