Costa Mesa drivers will need to slow down as City officials are lowering the posted speed limits on 17 segments throughout the City, in accordance with a recent engineering and traffic survey for speed limits and state law.
These speed limit reductions reflect recent laws governing speed limits and the City’s goals to improve the safety of all our residents, whether on foot, on bikes or in vehicles, where applicable. Additional reduction measures will be made in June 2024.
“Costa Mesa is leading the way when it comes to keeping pedestrians, bikers and drivers safe,” Mayor John Stephens said. “Thank you to our Public Works team for undertaking this important, life-saving initiative.”
The speed limit reductions align with the City Council’s enhance safety and reduce collisions as we build out our bikeway and walkability infrastructure.
“I’m thankful for the state laws that allow these speed limit reductions,” said Council Member Arlis Reynolds, who has championed safe streets for bicyclists and pedestrians. “This is just one step of a multi-pronged approach our city is taking to make our streets safer for everyone.”
And Public Works Director Raja Sethuraman cited the safety factor of lowering the speed limits.
“Reduced speeds will benefit all travel modes by improving safety and operations along several major corridors throughout the City,” Sethuraman said.
The speed limits will be lowered on the following 17 street segments:
- 16th Street from Whittier Avenue to Placentia Avenue (35 mph to 30 mph)
- Adams Avenue from Royal Palm Drive to Harbor Boulevard (45 mph to 35 mph)
- Adams Avenue from Harbor Boulevard to Fairview Road (45 mph to 40 mph)
- Anaheim Avenue from 19th Street to Superior Avenue (30 mph to 25 mph)
- Avenue of the Arts from Sunflower Avenue to Anton Boulevard (35 mph to 25 mph)
- Baker Street from Red Hill Avenue to Airway Avenue (40 mph to 35 mph)
- Harbor Boulevard from 19th Street to Newport Boulevard (35 mph to 30 mph)
- Hyland Avenue from MacArthur Boulevard to Sunflower Avenue (40 mph to 35 mph)
- Mesa Verde Drive East from Adams Avenue to Harbor Boulevard (40 mph to 35 mph)
- Newport Boulevard Northbound from Bristol Street to Del Mar Avenue (45 mph to 40 mph)
- Newport Boulevard Northbound from Santa Isabel Ave to 22nd Street (45 mph to 40 mph)
- Paularino Avenue from SR-55 to Red Hill Avenue (40 mph to 35 mph)
- Placentia Avenue from 19th Street to 18th Street (40 mph to 35 mph)
- Randolph Avenue from Bristol Street to Baker Street (25 mph to 20 mph)
- Red Hill Avenue from Baker Street to Bristol Street (50 mph to 45 mph)
- Royal Palm Drive from Baker Street to Adams Avenue (30 mph to 25 mph)
- Whittier Avenue from 19th Street to City Limits (35 mph to 30 mph)
Signage changes to the posted speed limits are underway by Maintenance Services Division staff.
For any questions, please contact Sethuraman or Jennifer Rosales, Transportation Services Manager at 714-754-5343.