New law allows Oregon cities to seek authority to set own speed limits

PENDLETON — Cities across Oregon now can apply for the authority to designate speed limits on their roads, thanks to a new state law.

The 2021 Oregon Legislature passed House Bill 3055 to allow all 241 Oregon cities — plus two counties — to start the process of designate their own speed limits. Many cities across Northeastern Oregon are not pressing down on the accelerator for the authority, and Oregon Department of Transportation Region 5 Manager Ken Patterson said it most will likely be the larger jurisdictions that apply.