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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!

  • Safety Improvements to railroad crossings at riverfront park
    Riverfront Park Access

    Safety Improvements to the Railroad Crossings at Riverfront Park

  • Resurfacing Broadway St NE
    New Roads

    Street improvements and widening on Broadway Road

  • Glen Creek Rd NW at Wallace Rd NW Intersection Widening
    Updated Intersections

    Glen Creek and Wallace Road intersection improvements in West Salem

  • Eola Dr NW Pavement Improvements
    Pavement Upgrades

    New street pavement like Eola Dr NW

News

New Bike and Pedestrian Upgrades Coming to Commercial and Liberty Streets SE

Installation of bicycle crossing signal and flashing beacon crossing starts March 4th, 2024.

Post Date:02/26/2024 10:00 AM
  • Installation of bicycle crossing signal and flashing beacon crossing starts March 4th, 2024.
  • Restriping Commercial Street SE with high-visibility bike lanes coming Summer of 2024.
  • Lane closures and temporary traffic revisions may be necessary.

Beginning in March 2024, Salem will improve bike and pedestrian infrastructure along Commercial Street SE from Oxford Street SE to Madrona Avenue SE. The project includes installing new high-visibility bike lanes, a bicycle signal to cross Liberty Road S, and a rapid flashing beacon on Commercial Street SE at Triangle Drive SE to provide added awareness and safety for bicyclists and pedestrians.

Key Upgrades:

  • Bicycle Crossing Signal: A bike signal on Liberty Road S at Commercial St SE to create added visibility for cyclists continuing south on Commercial.
     
  • Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon: A flashing beacon sign will be installed at Triangle Drive SE to provide extra visibility for both cyclists and pedestrians at the intersection.
     
  • High-visibility Bike Lanes: Restriping of bike lanes to include high-visibility green markings will provide dedicated space for cyclists, reducing potential conflicts between cyclists and motor vehicles. 

Schedule:

  • Phase 1 (Starting March 4, 2024) This phase will include the installation of a bicycle signal on Liberty Road S and a flashing beacon on Commercial Street SE at Triangle Drive SE. Pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers should use caution and expect some lane closures and delays. 

    During Phase 1, pedestrian access may be restricted within the work areas and temporary pedestrian routes will be identified around the work zone.
     
  • Phase 2 (Starting in summer 2024) This phase will include restriping lane lines of Commercial Street SE to install dedicated bike lanes with high-visibility green markings. 

    During Phase 2, work is expected to occur in the overnight hours (9 p.m. to 6 a.m.) Temporary traffic control will include lane closures, limited sidewalk access, and delays along Commercial Street SE from Oxford Street SE to Madrona Avenue SE.

This project was originally identified in the Bike & Walk Salem update to the Salem Transportation Plan 2013. This plan identifies enhanced bike facilities along Commercial Street. In 2018, we were awarded funds from the Oregon Department of Transportation's (ODOT) All Roads Transportation Safety (ARTS) Program to design and install buffered bike lanes on Commercial Street and improve bicycle and pedestrian crossings in the area.

For the latest updates on road construction projects with the City of Salem, visit current road construction projects on our website.

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