The Irwindale City Council has approved an ordinance reducing speed limits on two major thoroughfares, aiming to enhance driver and pedestrian safety. Ordinance No. 792, introduced at the February 12 council meeting and formally adopted on February 26, updates the Irwindale speed limits on Foothill Boulevard and Vincent Avenue.
Under the ordinance, the speed limit on Foothill Boulevard between Irwindale Avenue and the city boundary will decrease from 45 miles per hour to 40 miles per hour. On Vincent Avenue, the section between Newburgh Street and Arrow Highway will also drop by 5 miles per hour, bringing the limit to 40 miles per hour.
Reviewing Engineering and Traffic Data
According to the ordinance text, the city conducted an Engineering and Traffic Survey to evaluate current conditions on these roads. The California Vehicle Code requires such surveys to justify speed limits if they are to be enforced by radar. The survey measured the 85th percentile speeds—meaning the speed at or below which 85 percent of drivers travel—and considered factors such as crash history, adjacent development, and roadway characteristics.
The study found that while many drivers traveled near or above the previous limits, other conditions warranted slower speeds. Recent state legislation, including Assembly Bill 43, has provided cities like Irwindale more flexibility to lower speed limits in areas with higher collision rates or special conditions.
“The need for this update arose after the City of Azusa adjusted speed limits on adjacent roads,” the ordinance states. “This triggered a review of corresponding segments within Irwindale to ensure consistency and improve safety.”
Implementation and Signage Changes
With the ordinance’s adoption, city staff are authorized to install new speed limit signs along the affected corridors. The City Engineer will oversee the replacement of existing signs to reflect the changes.
In addition to Foothill Boulevard and Vincent Avenue, the ordinance reaffirmed or established limits for numerous other streets throughout Irwindale. However, only the two specified segments will see reductions under this update.
City Engineer-certified traffic studies remain valid for at least five years and may extend up to fourteen years if no substantial changes occur to roadway conditions. This extended validity can help the city maintain enforcement without frequent re-evaluations.
Council’s Focus on Safety and Consistency
Mayor Larry G. Burrola presided over the final adoption of Ordinance No. 792. The action aligns with Irwindale’s broader efforts to manage traffic speeds and address safety concerns across the community.
The council emphasized that lowering the Irwindale speed limits not only responds to updated engineering data but also supports regional consistency along shared corridors. These adjustments are intended to reduce accidents and improve travel conditions for all road users.
Residents can expect the new speed limits to take effect thirty days after the ordinance’s adoption. Drivers traveling through Foothill Boulevard and Vincent Avenue are encouraged to observe the revised limits to avoid citations and contribute to a safer roadway environment.
For more information or to review the full ordinance, residents can visit the City of Irwindale website or contact the Public Works Department.
