Oregon Revised Statute 810.180 allows ODOT primary authority to designate speeds on all public roadways, when it is different than the statutory speed.
In order to post a designated a speed limit, ODOT must complete an engineering investigation and obtain approval from the state traffic roadway engineer.
- For state highways within city limits, city streets and county roads the request to change a speed zone must be initiated by the road authority.
- For state highways in city limits, unless there is a geometric, roadside culture or other major roadway change, it is our practice to initiate a speed zone investigation at the request of the city in which it resides.
Under ORS 810.180, ODOT is allowed to
delegate its authority for designated speed limits to some local agencies with jurisdiction over their public roadways. Local agencies with this delegated authority must follow the same administrative rules and complete the same engineering investigation as ODOT; however, a designated registered professional engineer approves the investigation.
Requests to change a speed limit on a roadway in a city or county with delegated authority must be made to that road authority.