Should Salem reduce speed limit on Liberty Road? State panel to decide

A state panel will decide whether to lower the speed limit on Liberty Road S in Salem Sept. 10 after the Oregon Department of Transportation disagreed with the city's initial request to do so.

The Oregon Speed Zone Review Panel will meet at 8:30 a.m. to consider reducing the speed limit from 45 miles per hour to 35 miles per hour.

The proposed reduction would apply to a stretch of Liberty Road S from Holder Lane SE to 450 feet south of Radiance Avenue SE.

The City of Salem requested the reduced speed in February, citing requests from people in the area, which has had residential growth and a new traffic signal added near Crossler Middle School. The panel meets over speed zones when there is not agreement between the local authority and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

A speed zone investigation from ODOT recommended the speed limit be lowered to 40 miles per hour.

The Speed Zone Review Panel is made up of members representing the Oregon Transportation Safety Committee, Oregon State Police, the Association of Oregon Counties, the League of Oregon Cities and ODOT.

The panel will hear from ODOT, the City of Salem and the public before making a decision on whether to reduce the speed on Liberty Road S.

People can attend the meeting virtually or in-person.

Anastasia Mason covers state government for the Statesman Journal. Reach her at  acmason@statesmanjournal.com  or 971-208-5615.

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Should Salem reduce speed limit on Liberty Road? State panel to decide