City Moves Closer To Lower Speed Limits Across Concord After Council Vote

CONCORD, CA — The Concord City Council voted 5-0 to lower speed limits on nearly two dozen city streets.

The decision on Tuesday follows an engineering and traffic survey to gauge whether posted limits reflect real-world driving patterns required by state law to make speed limits legally enforceable.

The study looked at speeds, collision data, and roadway conditions to align speed limits with safety near schools, parks, and downtown areas where pedestrian and bicycle traffic is heavier. The plan includes both increases and reductions across the city.

"Speed limits must be both safe and enforceable," Mayor Carlyn Obringer said.

The Concord Police Department will support enforcement of the new limits with an expanded traffic team, which now has six officers.

The Concord Police Department has six officers on the traffic team. That number will increase to enforce the new limits.

For final adoption, the ordinance requires a second reading by the City Council.

The new speed limits would take effect at least 30 days after the city installs updated traffic signs.

The list of street segments that will see speeds reduced by 5 mph or more include:

• Alberta Way from Clayton Road to Ygnacio Valley Road (35 mph to 25 mph)
• Ayers Road from Ygnacio Valley Road to Clayton Road (35 mph to 30 mph)
• Babel Lane from Clayton Road to Cowell Road (35 mph to 30 mph)
• Burnett Avenue from Highway 680 Northbound on/off ramp to John Glenn Drive (35 mph to 30 mph)
• Clayton Road from Galindo Street to Oakland Avenue (35 mph to 30 mph)
• Concord Avenue from Market Street to Salvio Street (35 mph to 30 mph)
• Cowell Road from Monument Boulevard to Babel Lane (35 mph to 30 mph)
• David Avenue from Oak Grove Road to Bancroft Road (40 mph to 35 mph)
• Galaxy Way from Commerce Avenue to Via De Mercados (30 mph to 25 mph)
• Galindo Street from Monument Boulevard to Salvio Street (35 mph to 30 mph)
• Grant Street from High School Avenue to Solano Way (35 mph to 30 mph)
• Kirker Pass Road from City Limit to Myrtle Drive (55 mph to 50 mph)
• Laura Alice Way from Arnold Industrial Way to Nelson Avenue (35 mph to 30 mph)
• Marsh Drive from Solano Way to City Limit (45 mph to 40 mph)
• Meadow Lane from Market Street to Monument Boulevard (35 mph to 30 mph)
• Minert Road from Oak Grove Road to City Limit (40 mph to 35 mph)
• Oak Grove Road from Junction Drive to City Limit (40 mph to 35 mph)
• Oakland Avenue from Clayton Road to Mt Diablo Street (30 mph to 25 mph)
• Port Chicago Highway from Panoramic Drive to City Limit (45 mph to 40 mph)
• West Street from Clayton Road to Concord Boulevard (30 mph to 25 mph)

Based on the Engineering and Traffic Survey data, the following street segments will have their speed limits increased:

• Rolling Woods Way from Pine Hollow Road to the northernmost boundary of the Crystyl Ranch development (30 mph to 35 mph)
• Turtle Creek Road from Treat Boulevard to Fallbrook Road (30 mph to 35 mph)
• Crystyl Ranch Drive from Ygnacio Valley Road to Hiddencrest Court (35 mph to 45 mph)

Councilmember cited California law for their decision to raise the speeds, which allows cities to change speed limits if a traffic study supports the increase.