Port Hueneme to slow drivers with lower speed limits, other actions

Port Hueneme is taking steps to slow down speeders.

The City Council unanimously passed an ordinance in an initial vote last week to lower speed limits on 10 streets by 5 mph.

In two separate but unanimous votes, the council also agreed to begin assessing possible locations for speed bumps and to purchase a motorcycle for the Port Hueneme Police Department.

City Manager James Vega said at the Sept. 18 meeting the actions are part of an initiative to slow traffic and make streets safer.

Since Vega joined the city in July, he's been working with city staff and the police department to collect feedback from the public, city spokesperson Scott Matalon said Wednesday. Traffic safety was one of the public's top priorities.

“This is far and away the number one concern we hear from the community,” he said.

The series of traffic-related items were a result of the public feedback and not a noteworthy collision or incident, Matalon said.

If the council approves the speed limit ordinance on Oct. 2, the new limits will go into effect by November, Matalon said.

The city wants to lower speed limits by 5 mph on parts or all of these roadways:

• Patterson Road

• Port Hueneme Road

• Channel Islands Boulevard

• Crossjack, Market, San Pedro and Seaview streets

• Seaside and Surfside drives

• Wheelhouse Avenue

The city is also attempting to post speed limit signs on Sunkist Street, Bryce Canyon Avenue and Evergreen Lane.

Councilwoman Martha McQueen-Legohn noted at the meeting that lowering speed limits might not slow down drivers, especially those in semitrailers.

“They’re speeding now" where speed limits are posted, she said. "So we have to do something else."

The city is also looking at adding more speed cushions. They’re similar to traditional speed bumps — which spread across the entire street ― except there are gaps in the bumps to allow first responders to quickly travel through them.

In 2020, the city started a pilot program that added speed cushions on seven streets throughout the city.

Resident David Scrivner said at the meeting the speed cushions installed in the Bolker Park neighborhood have brought about positive change due to the slower traffic. Kids are playing out in the street and on sidewalks.

“It’s a different neighborhood,” he said.

While no locations have been identified for the new speed cushions, the city will consider residential areas near schools, parks and senior housing, among other criteria, staff said in a report.

In the coming week, the city will post an application on its website under the public works tab where residents can apply for speed cushion installation on their streets.

The speed cushions are expected to cost $95,000 in all.

To help enforce traffic laws, Port Hueneme will purchase a $45,000 BMW police motorcycle. The city will revive its motorcycle traffic officer position that was cut in 2013 due to budget constraints, the city manager said.

Matalon, the city spokesperson, said a current police officer will take over the position. He did not know when the motorcycle patrols would start.

Fatal vehicle collisions were lower between 2006 and 2013 when motorcycle officers were patrolling Port Hueneme, staff said in a report.

Brian J. Varela covers Oxnard, Port Hueneme and Camarillo. He can be reached at brian.varela@vcstar.com or 805-477-8014. You can also find him on Twitter @BrianVarela805.

This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: Port Hueneme to slow drivers with lower speed limits, speed bumps