Sunrise light on a grove of tufa towers emerging from the water of Mono Lake with soft green and dusty-red wild grasses in the foreground, Canada geese in the shallow water with reflections of the rocky towers, and desert hills in the distance.

New speed limit for Lee Vining

This post was written by Rosanne Catron, 2010 Information Center & Bookstore Manager.

Many years ago, a concerned citizen of Lee Vining brought up the danger of speeding and reckless driving on Highway 395, the busy highway that passes directly through Lee Vining.

Next, the Mono Basin Regional Planning Advisory Committee (RPAC) took up the cause.

Now, after a joint meeting between members of Caltrans and the California Highway Patrol, the speed limit in Lee Vining has been lowered from 35 to 30 miles per hour. This change, endorsed by the Mono County Supervisors, is due to numerous near-misses, accidents, and incidents of speeding. Additionally, the accident ratio of Lee Vining to the state of California is about 3:1, which clearly demonstrates a need for traffic calming measures.

The California Highway Patrol states that they will be very vigilant and that visitors and citizens alike can expect strict enforcement of the new speed limit.  So, when you are passing through Lee Vining, make sure to tap the brakes and slow down to 30 miles per hour. Drive safely, take your time enjoying the sights, and maybe even pull over to enjoy Mono Lake, the surrounding mountains, or the businesses and services our town has to offer!

One comment

  1. Maybe the limit should have been lowered to 25, similar to Bishop, and other places on 395.

    The original 40 limit sign driving northbound was on a bend, easily missed. Maybe an advance warning sign further south (around junction with Tioga road) might help.

    The pedestrian crossing by the Trading Post is quite hazardous.