Cincy Reporter

On May 8, the City of Cincinnati Administration and Councilmember Jeffreys announced a new evaluation process that will allow for expanded opportunities to systematically lower speed limits throughout the city.

According to City data, traffic violence has killed nine people this year in Cincinnati, three of them being pedestrians. This trend of traffic violence is not unique to Cincinnati. Cars took the lives of 42,915 Americans in 2021, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association. From redesigning our roads, to expanded educational efforts, the City is taking an “all hands on deck” approach to making our streets safer. As a part of this effort, the Department of Transportation and Engineering (DOTE) regularly evaluates what streets the City can lower speed limits on. The City is updating its evaluation process to expand the scope of which streets can see lowered speed limits.

The Ohio Revised Code sets speed limits based on the different types of streets. For example, streets in school zones are set for 20 mph, while State Routes and “through highways” are set at 35 mph. Ohio Revised Code labels most of Cincinnati's high-traffic streets as “through highways.”

The Department of Transportation and Engineering (DOTE) is updating its evaluation process to assess whether or not each of our streets still functions as a “through highway.” If we determine that a street is no longer functioning as a “through highway,” DOTE will use the tools at its disposal to redesign the street so it can be reclassified under Ohio Revised Code. Once the street is no longer classified as a “through highway,” the City will be able to lower the speed limit to 25 mph. This update will empower us to take a more expansive approach to enhancing safety for all road users.

“This is a big day for Cincinnati,” said Councilmember Jeffreys. “Lowering speed limits is a crucial step to slowing traffic down to make our roads safer for all and allows residents to live in communities where they feel safe.  With this updated process, we continue to come up with creative, effective solutions that prioritize the safety of our communities.”

DOTE will take a systematic approach to rolling out this updated process by folding it into Council’s newly approved Complete Streets ordinance. It will be one additional tool to leverage as part of the Complete Streets matrix when streets are rehabbed and repaved.  By taking this multifaceted approach, the City is continuing to create a public realm that is safer, more vibrant, and more sustainable.

Original source can be found here.