Mobility Study Background
The Central Salem Mobility Study is designed to evaluate a range of multi-modal transportation issues affecting downtown Salem, including circulation, access, and safety for people traveling to, through, and within central Salem. The Study will result in a recommended list of transportation projects and preliminary cost estimates, to be presented to the City Council and the Urban Renewal Agency in the spring-summer of 2013.
The primary Study area is bound by the Willamette River, Market Street NE, 13th Street NE/SE, and Trade Street SE. (Study Area Map)
Photo Credit: Aerial photograph of the downtown Salem area courtesy of Ron Cooper.
Key Study objectives include evaluating opportunities to:
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Improve pedestrian and bike access to the Union Street Railroad Bridge.
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Convert selected streets to two-way operation (High, Court, Church, State, and/or Cottage Streets).
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Improve street circulation and access for large blocks in north downtown. (Union Street to Market Street).
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Develop projects to support Family Friendly Bikeways (Union and/or Chemeketa Streets).
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Develop pedestrian safety and circulation improvements at closed crosswalks or double turn lanes.
The City Council and Urban Renewal Agency approved the scope of Central Salem Mobility Study in January, 2012. DKS Associates was selected through a Request for Proposals process and is under contract to complete the desired analysis. The Study is being funded with a combination of Riverfront Downtown Urban Renewal Area and City gas tax resources.
Public Involvement
City staff will use a variety of methods to share information about the project with the public, including press releases, briefings with affected groups, and email updates. Additionally, a Stakeholder Advisory Committee and Technical Advisory Committee have been formed to provide input at key milestones as the project moves forward.
Public Forums
A series of public forums will be held to obtain feedback at key milestones on the project.
The first public forum for the Central Salem Mobility Study was held Thursday, December 13, 2012. 
Workshop presentation: project concepts.
A second public forum was held on Wednesday, March 6, 2013. Workshop presentation: more detail on project concepts. Provide feedback.
A third and final public forum to present draft recommendations is expected in April/May.
Contact
To learn more about this project please contact Julie Warncke at 503-588-6211 or jwarncke@cityofsalem.net, or Annie Gorski at 503-588-6178 or agorski@cityofsalem.net.
Additional Information
A link to the Council staff report with additional information and a map of the study area is available here: Council Staff Report (January 9, 2012) For more information please see Frequently Asked Questions.
An overview of this and other current projects in the downtown area can be viewed here (English) and here (Spanish).