On Oct. 19, the Public Works Commission held a public meeting to revisit the issue of lowering Burlington speed limits. The end result of the meeting was a vote to adopt a 25 mph city-wide speed limit, unless otherwise posted. Certain streets including major entry points to the city including Shelburne Road, the Beltway and North Ave - see the map. The commission also decided not to impose a "Slow Streets" proposal that would have instituted a 20 mph speedlimit, but did vote to return to that issue at a later meeting. 

The initiative to lower city-wide speed limits from 30 to 25 mph on most streets was a part of the city's Transportation Plan and was widely supported. The BBA took issue with the proposoal that downtown streets should be reduced even further to 20 mph.

In a letter to the commission, Kelly Devine, Executive Director at BBA noted that police officers have stated that the 20 mph law would be tough to enforce and confusing to tourists. She also noted that there no one has "seen solid evidence that reducing the speed limit from 25 to 20 mph reduces the incidents of pedestrian/car or bike/car accidents."

In effect, lowing the speed limit could congest the streets and take away from the experience of traveling through downtown Burlington. Devine said the proposal unfairly singled automobile operators. "Automobile trips to the downtown district are our primary source for bringing shoppers, visitors and employees to Burlington. These folks play a prominent role in supporting our local economy and we want their experience to be positive," Devine added.

The BBA also advocated for a public information campaign to educate pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and other wheeled transportation users about safe practices on downtown streets.

According to the Burlington Transportation Plan, "The specific speed limit changes that are coming in November include 25 mph on all streets in Burlington, except:

• 30 mph speed limit will remain on Plattsburg Avenue; on North Avenue between the Route 127 entrance/exit ramps and Plattsburg Avenue; and on Shelburne Street between the intersection of Locust/Ledge Street and the South Burlington town line.
• 50 mph speed limit will remain on the Northern Connector / Beltline.
• 35 mph speed limit will remain on the Norther Connector beginning 500' south of Plattsburg Avenue north to the Colchester town line.
• 5 mph speed limit will remain on Church Street between Main Street and Pearl Street.
• 20 mph speed limit will remain on Lake Street and Church Street between Main Street and King Street."