PHOTO COURTESY OF ODOT
Motorists traveling on some state highways in central and eastern Oregon will see a change next spring due to Oregon House Bill 3402.
The bill enacted by the 2015 legislation raises the speed limit on Interstate 84 and some other routes east of the Cascades. The new law takes effect March 1, 2016, and will raise legal speeds to 70 mph for passenger vehicles and 65 mph for commercial trucks on I-84 between the Idaho border and The Dalles. These same speed limits will apply for U.S. 95 that runs through southeast Oregon between the Nevada and Idaho borders.
In addition, sections of eight other highways will have speed limits increased to 65 mph for passenger vehicles and 60 mph for trucks. These include portions of U.S. 20, U.S. 26, U.S. 97, U.S. 197, U.S. 395, OR 31, OR 78, and OR 205.
The new speed limits will more closely match those of neighboring states.
The current speed limits on I-84 are 65 mph for passenger vehicles and 55 mph for commercial trucks. These limits will not change for the section of interstate west of The Dalles.
The current speed limit for other state and U.S. routes (non-interstate) is typically 55 mph for all vehicles, unless posted otherwise.
Prior to March 1, 2016, travelers may see some highway work needed to support the speed limit change: including modifying passing zones to reflect the higher legal speed; new sign posts installed to accommodate new, larger signs; new or modified curve warning signs; and other minor changes.
The new signs are expected to be installed on I-84 by March 1 and on secondary highways as quickly as possible to accommodate the March 1 effective date. Motorists are reminded to obey all speed limit signs and other traffic control devices, and to adjust travel when weather, road conditions or other situations require extra caution.
