The City of Newport will begin installation of speed humps along NW Oceanview Drive on Tuesday, Sept. 17 to help reduce the risk of traffic, bicycle and pedestrian accidents on a key road for community members and visitors to the area. The project is a collaborative effort between the city’s Engineering and Public Works departments and Jon M. Thompson Excavation. It may take up to four days to complete, weather permitting, and work may begin as early as 7 a.m. each day.
Vehicular and pedestrian access to surrounding neighborhoods will remain open. Detour signs and other traffic-control measures will be in place, and the public should expect traffic delays. The city encourages the public to use alternate routes during this time and to use caution when transiting into and around the work zones.
“This is a project the community has long wanted to help improve safety on a high-traffic road,” stated Newport City Engineer Chris Beatty. “With its winding path and hills, this road can be a challenge for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians, and these speed humps, coupled with the reduced speed ordinance approved by City Council earlier this year, will add another layer of safety to our community.”
NW Oceanview Drive hosts multiple residential neighborhoods, serves as an alternative route parallel to U.S. 101, provides public access to Agate Beach, and is a part of the Oregon Coast Bike Route, all of which contribute to its high volume of use.
Newport Police and Fire have responded to a number of accidents that resulted in injuries and property damage on NW Oceanview Dr. in recent years, and the city has received several complaints regarding excessive speeding on that section of road. Its narrow and winding path with cross street intersections limit visibility and sightlines.
As a result, Newport’s City Council voted in April to approve the addition of five speed humps along with signage alerting road users to them to be placed at select points along NW Oceanview Drive between NW 14th Street and U.S. 101. In July, the City Council voted to approve an ordinance to establish designated speeds along NW Oceanview Drive of 20 mph between NW Spring Street and NW 19th Court, and 25 mph between NW 19th Court and U.S. 101.
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