Oakland to lower speed limits at 11 locations

Oakland plans to lower speed limits at several locations in an effort to create safer streets.

The move comes in response to Assembly Bill 43, a new state law that allows cities to lower speed limits in high-traffic areas.

“It is a well-established fact that by lowering speed limits, the number of traffic fatalities are correspondingly lowered,” said City Councilmember Rebecca Kaplan in a statement released by the city.

The initiative was announced by Mayor Sheng Thao, Oakland Council President Nikki Fortunato Bas, Councilmember Noel Gallo, Councilmember Janani Ramachandran, the Oakland Department of Transportation director Fred Kelley and other city leaders.

Ramachandran said lowering speed limits is a way to begin to change driver culture.

“I look forward to expanding this effort to every corner of the city,” she said.

According to the city, 1 in every 4 traffic fatalities in Oakland involves unsafe speeds.

Oakland carried out an analysis of more than 50 corridors that are eligible for 20 or 25 mph speed limits.

So far, the city has identified 11 locations:

MacArthur Boulevard (89th and 90th avenues); San Pablo Avenue (from William Street to South 16th Street); Fruitvale Avenue (from East 22nd to East 19th streets); 11th Street (Broadway to Harrison Street); 12th Street (Broadway to Alice Street); Fruitvale Avenue (East 15th to East 10th streets); Fruitvale Avenue (Lynde Street to Blossom Street); Foothill Boulevard (Rutherford to High streets); Foothill Boulevard (Congress Avenue to Cole Street); 23rd Avenue (Foothill to International boulevards); and 14th Street (from Broadway to Oak Street).

Signs with the new speeds in each location should be up by the end of 2025, a spokesperson for the city said.