SALEM — The Oregon Senate joined the Oregon House of Representatives and passed House Bill 3402, which, if signed by the governor, will increase the legal speed limit from 65 to 70 on Oregon Interstate 84 from the Idaho border west to The Dalles, (excluding highway work zones) and increases the 55 mph speed limit to 65 on selected Eastern Oregon state highways. (The speed limit on Highway 95 from Jordan Valley to McDermitt will be 70 mph).

“Oregon currently has the slowest highway (55 mph) and interstate (65 mph) speed limits in the western United States,” Rep. Cliff Bentz (R-Ontario) said. “The improvements in safety features now required on automobiles, the improvement in road systems and in braking and lighting technology, combine to make driving safer and this supports use of higher speed limits on selected open roads in Eastern Oregon.”

Rep. Bentz joined Rep. Rep. Greg Barreto (R-Cove) in working this bill through the legislature.

“I hope that this bill, by allowing people to travel more quickly, will bring the eastern and western parts of Oregon closer together. Transportation, at its most basic, is communication. Perhaps being able to travel back and forth faster will allow people from remote parts of Oregon to better access the features and benefits of this state,” Bentz added.