As a crucial element of the City of Mount Rainier's Vision Zero Action Plan, created this year based on studies conducted by the Toole Design Group and input from our community, a key recommendation involves lowering speed limits on all streets maintained by the city. This adjustment holds the potential to significantly reduce the severity and frequency of crashes, particularly when coupled with physical traffic calming measures. In alignment with the action plan, the Mayor and Council are gearing up to enact an ordinance aimed at bringing down the speed limit on city roads from 25 mph to 20 mph. The anticipated adoption of this ordinance is scheduled for the Legislative Meeting on January 2, 2024.

In anticipation of the speed limit adjustments, the city is proactively preparing to install new signages beginning in January, replacing the existing speed limit markers. These prominently displayed signs will serve as a visible reminder to all motorists to adhere to the reduced speed limits.

The implementation of the reduced speed limit is scheduled to take effect on February 1, 2024. It is important to note that this adjustment will apply solely to the City of Mount Rainier roads. Rhode Island Avenue and Queens Chapel Road, maintained by the State Highway Administration (SHA) and District of Columbia-owned Eastern Avenue, will not be impacted by the new speed limit.

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