City Council, May 13th - Lots of Crosswalks

Council meets on Monday the 13th, and they'll consider plans for lots of new crosswalks!

Look at all those proposed crosswalks!

One of the items on Council agenda is a request to

Authorize the City Manager to apply for federal funding up to $10 million through the SS4A [Safe Streets for All] program, using up to $2.5 million of Safety and Livability Bond funds as match, to construct a series of pedestrian crossing improvement projects and further authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with the US DOT to accept the funds.

Safe Streets and Roads for All was part of President Biden's Infrastructure package passed in 2022. In a previous round, with $2.8 million the program funded the "Vision Zero" and "Twenty is Plenty" project here.

The City says

The recommended grant application will support construction of 19 enhanced pedestrian crossings at the locations shown on [the map above] and listed below. The enhanced pedestrian crossings will incorporate safety features such as median islands, curb extensions, and flashing beacons. All these features are designed to significantly improve pedestrian safety across our community. The crossing locations were determined with input from the community through the Safer Pedestrian Crossings Program that the City initiated in 2019. Locations were prioritized based on roadway type, crash history, proximity to critical areas such as schools, parks, and transit, and demographic characteristics.

Recommended Pedestrian Crossing Improvements for SS4A Grant Application

• Lancaster Drive NE between Sunnyview Avenue NE and Wolverine Street NE
• Lancaster Drive NE at Cypress Street NE
• Liberty Street SE at Lincoln Street SE
• Hawthorne Avenue NE between Market Street NE and D Street NE
• Kale Street NE near Hoodview Park
• Madison Street NE at 17th Street NE
• Market Street NE at 25th Street NE
• Hollywood Drive NE at McKay High School
• Market Street NE at 15th Street NE
• Market Street NE between Lancaster Drive NE and Tierra Drive NE
• Market Street NE between Childs Avenue NE and Lansing Avenue NE
• D Street NE at Evergreen Avenue NE
• 4000 Block of Fairview Industrial Drive SE (near transit stop)
• River Road N at Delmar Drive N
• Sunnyview Road NE at Greentree Drive NE
• Broadway Street NE at Academy Street NE
• B Street NE at 17th Street NE
• D Street NE at 14th Street NE
• Summer Street NE at Hood Street NE

It's great to see a more ambitious slate of crosswalks proposed.

Crosswalk sites (yellow added)

Also on the agenda is initiating the process to acquire right-of-way for a smaller set of three crosswalks already funded, planned, and in process. 

The Pedestrian Safety Crossings Project will construct enhanced pedestrian crossings at three locations which include River Road N near River Road City Park, State Street at 21st Street SE, and Lancaster Drive NE near Weathers Street NE. Design has progressed to the point where it is now necessary to begin the right-of-way acquisition process....

[Council will consider resolutions] declaring a public need to acquire; the City of Salem’s intent to negotiate; and if necessary, authorizing the City Attorney to commence eminent domain proceedings for the acquisition of right-of-way and easements for the Pedestrian Safety Crossings Project.

There are some other items of interest on Council agenda, and we'll post on those over the weekend.

It's great to see a substantial package of proposed crosswalks and these deserve great support.