Concord City Council Approves Speed Reductions on 20 Streets to Improve Safety
Concord, Calif. (August 27, 2025) – On Tuesday, August 26, the Concord City Council voted unanimously for an ordinance to lower speed limits on 20 city streets to improve safety.
The decision follows a comprehensive citywide Engineering and Traffic Survey conducted by the City’s Transportation Division. The study evaluated speeds, collision data, and roadway conditions to ensure that posted limits reflect actual traffic patterns—and remain legally enforceable.
“Speed limits must be both safe and enforceable,” said Mayor Carlyn Obringer. “This update ensures that our posted limits reflect real-world conditions while prioritizing the safety of pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike.”
The Concord Police Department will support enforcement of the new limits with an expanded traffic team, which now has six officers.
Under California law, cities may adjust speed limits if supported by a traffic study. Typically, limits are set using the ’85th percentile rule’—the speed at or below which 85% of drivers travel, rounded to the nearest 5 miles per hour (mph). Additional factors, such as schools, senior centers, or other bike and pedestrian generating activity centers, can also be considered in speed reductions.
The ordinance requires a second reading for final adoption. Once approved, the new speed limits will take effect once new signage is installed at least 30 days thereafter.
The following street segments will see speed reductions of 5 mph or more:
Alberta Way from Clayton Road to Ygnacio Valley Road (35 mph to 25 mph)
Ayers Road from Ygnacio Valley Road to Clayton Road (35 mph to 30 mph)
Babel Lane from Clayton Road to Cowell Road (35 mph to 30 mph)
Burnett Avenue from Highway 680 Northbound on/off ramp to John Glenn Drive (35 mph to 30 mph)
Clayton Road from Galindo Street to Oakland Avenue (35 mph to 30 mph)
Concord Avenue from Market Street to Salvio Street (35 mph to 30 mph)
Cowell Road from Monument Boulevard to Babel Lane (35 mph to 30 mph)
David Avenue from Oak Grove Road to Bancroft Road (40 mph to 35 mph)
Galaxy Way from Commerce Avenue to Via De Mercados (30 mph to 25 mph)
Galindo Street from Monument Boulevard to Salvio Street (35 mph to 30 mph)
Grant Street from High School Avenue to Solano Way (35 mph to 30 mph)
Kirker Pass Road from City Limit to Myrtle Drive (55 mph to 50 mph)
Laura Alice Way from Arnold Industrial Way to Nelson Avenue (35 mph to 30 mph)
Marsh Drive from Solano Way to City Limit (45 mph to 40 mph)
Meadow Lane from Market Street to Monument Boulevard (35 mph to 30 mph)
Minert Road from Oak Grove Road to City Limit (40 mph to 35 mph)
Oak Grove Road from Junction Drive to City Limit (40 mph to 35 mph)
Oakland Avenue from Clayton Road to Mt Diablo Street (30 mph to 25 mph)
Port Chicago Highway from Panoramic Drive to City Limit (45 mph to 40 mph)
West Street from Clayton Road to Concord Boulevard (30 mph to 25 mph)
Based on the Engineering and Traffic Survey data, the following street segments will see speed limit increases to maintain enforceability. Although the Councilmembers were reluctant to raise the limits, they recognized that without doing so, speeding citations could not be upheld under California law.
Rolling Woods Way from Pine Hollow Road to the northernmost boundary of the Crystyl Ranch development (30 mph to 35 mph)
Turtle Creek Road from Treat Boulevard to Fallbrook Road (30 mph to 35 mph)
Crystyl Ranch Drive from Ygnacio Valley Road to Hiddencrest Court (35 mph to 45 mph)
If I’m not wrong, I believe these were all the original speed limits that most those streets had previously! They were then forced to take higher speed limits due to studies and tests. I lived on one of those streets and what we all protested the increase in speed limits back in the 90s we were told that it would make the streets safer and that if 85% of people ro the speed that that’s deemed as correct speed. They were wrong, and I’m glad the speed limits are going back down.
I’m very glad to hear this. Now I hope they will enforce these new speed limits. Cowell used to be a fairly quiet road. It is now a raceway on some nights.
The old limits would have likely been fine, if enforced.
Will the new limits actually prove to be better?
Joe
Nothing really seems to be working.