We just heard back from the Transportation Engineer for the City of Beaverton and we wanted to share this monumental step forward.

When we met with the City of Beaverton’s Public Works Division in December 2021, we were advised that the speed limit would need to be lowered to 30 mph, or less, in order to implement the preventive safety measures we are advocating for. In order to review the speed limit, the Public Works Department conducted a speed study and has now reviewed the data. Without further ado, here are the results:

“Thank you for your patience. Late last week, we have completed our field data collection and analysis for Barrows Road from one end to the other. The traffic volume varies slightly day to day but the speed is almost consistent at every location on all days. The measured 50th percentile speed is slightly above 35 mph except near Progress Ridge due to traffic stopping at the signals and the interaction with the commercial area.

Oregon State Statutes, give the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) the authority to designate speeds on public roadways. The 50th percentile speed is used by the State in setting speed limits in urban areas. The roadway features, geometry, the number and type of crashes, the amount of driveways and access and the land use context are also considered in determining the speed limit. Looking at Barrows Road as a whole and considering the lower measured speed and the commercial use at Progress Ridge, there may be an opportunity for ODOT to consider lowering the posted speed on Barrows Road to 30 mph.”

We will be meeting with the Traffic Commission and City Council, as step two, in order to obtain their approval to request ODOT review the speed zone and hopefully lower it. 

Please continue to share this petition as we move through this process, the more the Public Works Department, Traffic Commission, City Council and ODOT see support from our community, the better.