September 3, 2020 3:25 a.m.

Beginning on September 14th, the speed limit on Douglas Avenue from Dos Gatos Court to the Roseburg city limits east of Lombardy Drive will be reduced from 35 miles per hour to 25 miles per hour.

Communications Specialist Eric Johnson with the City of Roseburg said new signs will be in place soon to inform motorists of the new lower speed limit.

Johnson said this summer the City received several comments from citizens related to the speed of vehicles traveling along Douglas Avenue. Those concerns, in conjunction with the increased development in the area, prompted the City to undergo the process to reduce the speed limit. The Public Works Department submitted a formal request to the Oregon Department of Transportation, who administers speed limit changes, to lower the speed limit by 10 miles per hour on Douglas Avenue. Last month, ODOT notified the City that the request was approved.

Public Works Director Brice Perkins said “With the increase in housing development, along with plans to improve pedestrian and bike travel, it made sense for the speed limit to be reduced”. Perkins said the City recently submitted a Safe Routes to School grant application to ODOT, which will help with construction of necessary improvements to that section of Douglas Avenue. He said the improvements may include new sidewalks, bike lanes, an enhanced crosswalk near Eastwood Park. Perkins said reducing the speed limit works in conjunction with these projects to improve pedestrian safety along Douglas Avenue.

For more information about the speed limit change, call the Public Works Department at 492-6730.