Speed Cushions

Speed cushions are a type of speed hump that allow larger vehicles, especially fire trucks, to straddle them without significantly slowing down. Several small speed humps are installed in a series across a roadway with spaces in between them. The small humps look like cushions.

Possible Installation Locations

2nd Street between Lazona Drive and Harris Drive

This 1/4-mile segment of 2nd Street runs east-west and lies east of Stapley Drive and north of Main Street.

2nd Street has met all the warranting criteria that makes it eligible for speed cushions. The last step is approval from the Transportation Advisory Board (TAB) which will meet on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at 5:30 pm, to vote on staff’s recommendation to proceed with the installation. The TAB meeting information is provided below:

Tuesday, September 16, 2025 at 5:30 p.m.
 Advisory board meetings operate on a hybrid system. Public participants are welcome to attend in person or via Zoom.

Members of the public can address the Board in the following ways:

  • Attend a meeting in person. Participants may complete a blue comment card upon arrival at the meeting.
  • Submit an online comment card at least 1 hour prior to the start of the meeting. 

See the TAB webpage for more information. 

If the information regarding the 2nd Street segment has not answered your questions, please contact the Transportation Department at 480-644-2160.


What are the dimensions of a speed cushion?
Length: 12 feet
Height: 3 inches
Width: at least 6.5 feet

How effective are speed cushions?
A study of the effectiveness of speed cushions on eight streets in Mesa showed that, on average, the 85th percentile speeds when measured mid-way between two sets of speed cushions, decreased by about 7 mph.

What can I do to stop the installation?
The level of neighborhood support is one of many factors that determine whether the speed cushions will be installed. Please refer to the current policy(PDF, 52KB)  for more details on this topic.

Why can't regular speed humps be used?
 Speed humps delay emergency response vehicles much more than speed cushions. Streets considered to be emergency response routes by Mesa's Fire and Medical Department are eligible for speed cushions only.

Will speed cushions damage my car?
To date, we are not aware of any vehicles that have been damaged.

How much do speed cushions cost?
The cost varies depending on the width of the road. To install a set of cushions on a 48-foot wide street costs about $5,000.

Will it cost me anything?
The neighborhood is responsible for all data collection costs required to determine if the street meets the warranting criteria.
For streets that meet all of the warranting criteria, there may be an additional cost to the neighborhood for construction, depending on the volume of traffic. For streets carrying more than 500 vehicles per day, we pay all costs of construction. For streets with fewer than 500 vehicles per day, the neighborhood is responsible for $500 for each set of speed cushions.

Why is Mesa spending monies on this now?
Speeding in neighborhoods is the number one concern for many residents. The City Council supports spending a modest amount to address these concerns.

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