• On Feb. 26, 2024 the City Council directed staff to begin outreach to inform the community about a project to reduce the speed limit on most local streets from 25 mph to 20 mph and answer questions. Local streets are designed primarily to provide access within neighborhoods and carry local traffic to collector arterials.

    An image showing two speed limit signs. The first sign says "Speed limit 25 mph", and there is an arrow point to a second sign that says "Speed limit 20 mph".

    Speeding on local streets is the top concern heard from residents regarding traffic safety in Bellevue. To respond to community concerns about speeding, staff use a variety of different tools, like speed humps, radar feedback signs and traffic circles, to bring down vehicle speeds. Staff also frequently investigate new and emerging tools to help with traffic calming. 20 mph speed limits have already been implemented in three Bellevue neighborhoods, and the results have been positive. You can read more about these changes in the frequently asked questions below. Based on these changes, the city is looking to lower the speed limit on most local streets from 25 mph to 20 mph. A lower speed limit supports the city’s Vision Zero effort, which aims to eliminate fatal and serious traffic crashes on city streets by 2030. It also represents a culture shift for residents in how speeds are managed on local streets: safety starts on your street. 

    For more project background, you can watch the City Council Study Session from Feb. 26, 2024 on this topic.

    Proposed Timeline

    • February 2024: Receive council direction to begin outreach on project.
    • Fall 2024: Return to council to share community feedback on project and prepare draft ordinance for consideration to lower speed limit from 25 mph to 20 mph on most local streets.
    • Fall 2024: If council passes the ordinance, begin design of project. 
    • Fall 2024 to Summer 2025: Staff will share information on the upcoming change.
    • Summer 2025: Install new speed limit signs.
    A photo of a residential neighborhood. In the foreground is a road leading to a T intersection. Just before the intersection, there are large white letters on the road that say "20 MPH". On the side of the road is a sidewalk. A person is walking on the sidewalk away from the camera. To the right of the sidewalk, there is a white "SPEED LIMIT 20" sign, with a blue "RESIDENTIAL AREA" sign below it. Both signs are mounted on a pole. At the top of the signs are two orange flags.

    Benefits

    • Create safer routes to school for children in Bellevue neighborhoods.
    • Create a more comfortable environment for people walking and rolling.
    • Create predictable speed limit in neighborhoods.
    • Support the city’s Vision Zero effort to eliminate serious injury and fatal collisions on city streets by 2030.

    How to learn more

    Want to learn more about the proposed change to speed limits on local streets? There are several online options, and in-person events will be listed here as they are scheduled.

    In person events

    Online

    • Explore the frequently asked questions below.
    • Visit the interactive local speed limit reduction map.
    • Submit a question or comment using the virtual comment box below.
    • Request a Neighborhood/Community Association briefing. If you represent an association, please email John Murphy (jmurphy@bellevuewa.gov) to request a briefing. Briefings will be held in April and May 2024.
    • View a map of local streets in Bellevue.
    • Watch our video overview:

    Funding

    If advanced, the estimated cost of the project is approximately $500,000. Funding comes from the Neighborhood Safety, Connectivity and Congestion Levy. The funding includes:

    • Replacement of all existing 25 mph (~365) speed limit signs on most local streets with 20 mph speed limit signs along with replacing sign posts that do not meet current city design standards (~150).
    • Installation of additional 20 mph speed limit signs, as funds allow, on streets where extra signs may be beneficial.
    • Replacement of existing “25 MPH” pavement marking legends—made of plastic and burned into asphalt roadways—with “20 MPH” pavement marking legends. In a 2023 survey to residents asking if the community liked these installations, 85% of survey respondents like having 25 mph speed limit pavement markings in Bellevue.
    Two photos are shown side by side. On the left, large white letters on a roadway read "25 MPH". On the right is a speed limit sign. It is mounted on a pole on the side of a neighborhood road.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What streets in Bellevue will go to 20 mph?

    Nearly all streets classified as “local” will see a reduction in speed limit from 25 mph to 20 mph. Local streets are designed primarily to provide access within neighborhoods and carry local traffic to collector arterials. About 64% of streets in Bellevue are designated as “local”. There are a few local streets that may remain at 25 mph.

    Have 20 mph speed limits been tested in Bellevue?

    20 mph speed limits have  been tested in three neighborhoods in Bellevue (Surrey Downs, East Bellevue Greenway, and parts of Eastgate around Tyee Middle School). Each of these changes—essentially only sign change projects—reduced high-end speeding (vehicles going faster than 30 mph). Eastgate, the largest 20 mph zone to date, experienced a 19% reduction in high-end speeding without additional enforcement by Police.

    Do lower speed limits improve safety?

    In Bellevue, 20 mph speed limits have reduced high-end speeding in every neighborhood in which the speed limit has been introduced. Additionally, higher speeds are directly related to death and serious injuries for people walking involved in crashes.

    A graphic showing how higher driving speeds lead to longer braking distance and risk to pedestrians hit by a vehicle.

    What is being done to address speeding on arterial streets?

    The recently completed Speed Management Plan is the guiding document to address speeds on arterial streets (higher-speed, higher-volume streets like Bellevue Way, NE 8th Street, 148th Avenue, etc.). Additionally, the Speed Limit Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) are used to evaluate current speed limits and identify if a change to the speed limit is recommended. A recently awarded grant from the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) will support a more proactive review of speed limits on arterial streets. 

    What if people driving don’t slow down after the change?

    The city has a robust traffic safety program aimed at reducing speeds on local streets. If you continue to see an issue with high vehicle speeds, please submit a Request for Action form. 

    When will the 20 mph speed limit go into effect?

    It is estimated that the signs reflecting the speed limit change will be installed in summer 2025 and take effect then. Sign up for Transportation News emails or text messages to receive project updates and other transportation news. 

    How will the speed limit be enforced?

    Speed limits in Bellevue are enforced by the Police Department. To request speed enforcement, submit a Traffic Service Request. 

    Additionally, the city has numerous education programs intended to encourage people driving to respect the speed limit. Residents can request the portable radar dolly that helps people driving become more aware of the speed at which they are driving. Additionally, to raise awareness of traffic safety in neighborhoods, the city offers colorful neighborhood yard signs with traffic safety messages for people using our streets.

    What should I expect in terms of construction in my neighborhood? 

    New signs and “20 MPH” pavement marking legends are expected to be installed in summer 2025. The work to install the signs and legends should have minimal noise and traffic impacts. To see if there is a sign or legend planned to be replaced near you, please visit the interactive map.

    Will the city still build traffic calming on streets that are lowered to 20 mph?

    Yes, the city has a long-standing program to build traffic calming (e.g. speed humps, traffic circles, raised crosswalks) on local streets. The city is committed to continuing this popular, resident-driven program to build projects that further encourage people driving to slow down.

    Have a question or comment?

    If you have a question about the project or would like to provide a comment, please submit below. Commonly asked questions will be added to the frequently asked questions. If you’d like a response, please provide your name and email address or phone number and select the “I would like a response” box. 

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