Drivers in Ridgefield should take note of new speed limits on two major roads that will be in place until further notice.
During a Thursday, Sept. 26, meeting, the Ridgefield City Council imposed emergency speed limits that took effect immediately.
Following the meeting, the previously 35 mph speed limit on South Royle Road, from South Wells Drive/15th Street to Hillhurst Road, has been temporarily reduced to 30 mph.
As well, a 25 mph work-zone speed limit has been implemented on Pioneer Street, from Royle Road to 56th Place, down from 40 mph.
Ridgefield Public Works Director Chuck Green explained the change on South Royle Road was necessary due to overgrown vegetation limiting the visibility of pedestrians and cyclists, particularly near the high school. A road improvement project to address these issues is planned for 2026-27.
Councilor Clyde Burkle strongly supported the emergency changes, citing concerns over speeding near Ridgefield High School.
“I just think it’s something we absolutely need to approve immediately,” Burkle said. “I had a conversation with one of our police officers, and she was relaying a story on South Royle where we almost had a collision between a car and a worker.”
The 25 mph work-zone speed limit on Pioneer Street will remain in effect until the Pioneer Street Widening Project is completed, anticipated by June 2025. Fines for speeding violations may be doubled within the work zone. Green explained that the speed reduction will support the safety of construction workers during the project.
In addition to the emergency speed limit changes, the council reviewed further speed adjustments based on a recent traffic study conducted by city staff. Some of the recommendations address speed limits that are either unposted or not yet codified. These changes also align with the updated 2023 guidelines from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices. A second public hearing to discuss these proposed changes is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10, at 510 Pioneer St.
Speed limit changes to be considered are:
• Reducing the speed limit on Pioneer Street, east of Ninth Avenue/Hillhurst to 65th Avenue, from 40 mph to 35 mph.
• Establish a 25 mph speed limit on South 15th Street, South 35th Place, South 10th Way and South 25th Place, west of South Royle Road, for the entire scenic collector on the Gee Creek Plateau.
• Set a 20 mph speed limit on South Fourth Way, from South 21st Place to South 25th Place.
• Lower the speed limit on South Wells Drive, from Royle Road to the future Discovery Drive, from 35 mph to 30 mph.
• Establish a 35 mph speed limit on Union Ridge Parkway, from South Fifth Street to Pioneer Street.
• Set a 25 mph speed limit on Union Ridge Parkway, north of Pioneer Street along the Clark College building to a future extension to North 10th Street, for both the current and future corridor.
• Reduce the speed limit on South Hillhurst Road, from Great Blue to south of Carty Road, from 35 mph to 30 mph.
