Newton 25 mph Default Speed Limit Approved by City Council

NEWTON, MA – The Newton City Council voted Monday night to reduce the default speed limit in the city to 25 mph, a reduction from the previous default limit of 30 mph.

The ordinance will be sent to the mayor's office on Wednesday; once signed, it will go into effect 20 days later, according to Newton City Clerk David Olson. The limit will apply to roads with no posted speed limits.

According to the Newton TAB, the change will not apply to Route 9, Needham Street, Charlesbank Road, Forest Grove Road, Hammond Pond Parkway, Nonantum Road, the Mass. Pike, Route 128 and at least 36 roadways in Newton that have speed limits posted.

A statewide law passed in 2016 made it possible for local municipalities to regulate their own default speed limits. Municipalities such as Cambridge, Boston, Arlington Somerville have passed local speed regulations of their own since the bill was passed.

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