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Keep Salem Moving!

In November 2008, Salem voters approved a “Keep Salem Moving” $100 million project bond to pay for street and bridge projects that relieve congestion, improve safety, and rebuild or maintain pavement and bridges in Salem.

With that investment the City completed more than 40 projects included in the original Keep Salem Moving! bond measure and received additional funding from the State of Oregon and Federal government totaling over $21 million.

Thanks to sound financial and project management, the City was able to use savings and leverage other funds to address additional transportation needs, including neighborhood sidewalk reconstruction.  These state and federal funds, along with project savings, allowed the City to fund an additional 31 projects.

About 90 percent of the total project value was awarded to local contractors during the economic recovery, following the 2008 recession.

In total, 71 projects have been funded as part of the 2008 Keep Salem Moving! bond package. By January 2022, 66 projects were completed and five projects remain in progress. Upon completion, of all projects funded through this bond measure a total of 45,189 feet of streets will be widened and 63,245 feet of new sidewalk will be stretched throughout the City.

Projects paid for by Keep Salem Moving!

News

Walk Before Wheels: Starting July 8th, Pedestrians Get a 3-Second Head Start in Downtown Salem

Post Date:07/02/2024 2:17 PM

Leading Pedestrian Intervals Downtown Map

 

Starting the week of July 8, 2024, the City of Salem will begin retiming traffic signals in downtown Salem to improve safety for pedestrians. This safety enhancement, called Leading Pedestrian Interval (LPI) promotes safe walking conditions and reduces the potential for dangerous accidents between pedestrians and vehicles.

Which signals will be changed? Crosswalk signal timing changes will be made to intersections in the downtown core from Division Street to Trade Street, north to south, and from Commercial Street to Cottage Street, west to east. 

  • Phase One: Begins on July 8, starting at Chemeketa Street and moving south, incorporating changes on Chemeketa, Court, State, Ferry, and Trade Streets.
  • Phase Two: Begins in September, after the completion of phase one at Center Street and moves north, including changes on Center, Marion, Union, and Division Streets.

How it works: Leading pedestrian interval (LPI) provides a WALK indication for pedestrians 3 seconds before the adjacent vehicles get a green light. 

Why it works: By allowing a 3-second head start, it allows pedestrians to establish themselves in the intersection, making them more visible to turning cars before a traffic signal turns green. According to the National Association of City Transportation Officials, LPIs have been shown to reduce pedestrian-vehicle collisions by as much as 60%, and U.S. Federal Highway Administration studies have shown a 13% decrease in pedestrian and vehicle collisions using this practice.

Safety Reminders:

  • For Motorists: Always watch for pedestrians and follow Oregon crosswalk laws.
  • For Pedestrians: Stay visible and aware of your surroundings, even when you have the right-of-way.

Salem motorists should watch for pedestrians and understand and observe Oregon crosswalk laws. Pedestrians are cautioned and aware of their surroundings even when they have the right-of-way. The following link provides some guidance and references from the Oregon Revised Statutes regarding pedestrian laws. https://www.oregon.gov/odot/Safety/Documents/OregonCrosswalkLawsENG.pdf

Join us in helping make Salem’s downtown even safer.

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