The length of 2nd Street NW used to be Union Pacific Railroad over the Union Street Railroad bridge into Salem. The railroad owned the remaining section from Rosemont Avenue NW to Gerth Avenue as an unpaved, gravel road until it transferred to the City of Salem in 2011. In 2013, West Salem Urban Renewal converted it to the paved road it is now. The urban renewal plan and the business district action plan identify improved multi-modal connectivity for current and future needs. Since 2019, the Urban Renewal Agency has approved the recommendations of the West Salem Redevelopment Advisory Board and the Citizen Budget Committee to fund the design and construction of 2nd Street NW.
A notable achievement of this project was finishing the connection of 2nd Street NW from Murlark Avenue NW to Patterson Avenue NW, providing a continuous connection from Wallace Road NW to Rosemont Avenue NW. This crucial link has been a key objective for the City and addresses a long-standing barrier to efficient travel in the area.
The City of Salem would like to thank the West Salem businesses and residents for their patience and collaboration in the planning, design, and construction of this street improvement. We hope it’s an investment that the community can be proud of and one that fosters a more pedestrian and bike-friendly environment, creates a walkable neighborhood feel, and builds a safer, more vibrant community for all West Salem residents and visitors.
