In Phase 1 of this study, a detailed analysis of downtown roadways, including review and consideration of previous planning efforts, in the Bicycle & Pedestrian Master Plan (2018) and Downtown Precise Plan (2021), was performed to identify current and future active transportation facilities and land uses in the downtown area. This review, in combination with an E&TS for downtown roadways, evaluated potential road segments that would be eligible for speed limit reduction to 20 miles per hour (mph) based on the traffic data, crash history, roadway characteristics, conducted speed surveys, and the provisions of AB 43.
The speed limit on most downtown streets is currently 25 mph. As a result of this evaluation, a draft downtown 20 mph zone is proposed, as shown in the below figure. The proposal would retain a 25 mph speed limit on 2nd and 3rd Streets through the downtown core, as these are principal arterials that carry high volumes of traffic through the area and do not meet some of the provisions of AB 43. The speed limit on 2nd Street between Hayes Street and 4th Street, which is currently 35 mph, would reduce to 30 mph.
Speed Limits in Downtown