City of Salem

Emergency Messages as of 6:24 AM, Thu. Mar 5

No information currently posted.

Subscribe to receive FlashAlert messages from City of Salem.

Manage my existing Subscription

News Release

City Efforts Making Salem Streets Safer (Photo) - 03/03/26

Salem, Ore. — In another step forward for Salem’s Safer Streets program, the City installed speed cushions and stop signs to improve safety for residents as they walk, bike or drive along city streets.

 

Speed Cushions: Safe for Residents and First Responders

Speed cushions are a speed bump with openings for emergency vehicles. The cushions encourage residents and visitors to drive at or below posted speed limits. For emergency vehicles, the openings in speed cushions help maintain speeds needed when transporting patients or responding to emergencies.

 

The three speed cushions added to High Street SE between Trade Street SE and Mission Street SE were chosen as part of the City’s Safer Streets Program, where residents had requested traffic-calming measures. The City collected speed and volume data and scored this request against other requests received at that time.

 

Stop Signs Add Clarity to Traffic Flow

To improve safety, 38 new stop signs were added to the Northstar Communities development located north of Kale Road NE. These signs reduce confusion and potential conflicts at intersections.

 

These projects were funded through the Neighborhood Solutions Program. This program was initially launched with one-time COVID-related funds allocated to transportation safety. Future funding for the program will come from the City’s transportation budget.

 

Neighborhood traffic-calming projects like these are a City priority outlined in the Neighborhood Traffic Management Plan.

 

Safety Decisions are Guided by Residents

To help inform future safety decisions, the City created an online portal where residents can request traffic calming for their neighborhood streets, stop signs, and safer pedestrian crossings. Learn more at cityofsalem.net/safer-streets.

 

When selecting projects, we look at things like traffic, speed and how close the area is to schools, parks and transit. We also think about whether the area is in a neighborhood that hasn’t always had the same access to resources.

 

So far, the City has received over 750 requests for improved pedestrian crossings at 333 specific locations. Staff received almost 600 requests for traffic calming at 191 unique locations and more than 200 requests for new stop signs in neighborhoods.

 

Safety Programs Will Guide Future Efforts

To further enhance resident safety, the City is pursuing two additional programs, Vision Zero Transportation Safety Action Plan and 20 is Plenty, with federal grants through the Safe Streets and Roads for All.

 

For the Vision Zero Transportation Safety Action Plan, residents and community partners will be invited to prioritize actions to improve safety for all users, with an emphasis on eliminating serious injuries and deaths as a result of crashes. Crash data and other conditions that contribute to crashes.

 

The 20 is Plenty program will reduce speed limits on all local residential streets in Salem from 25 mph to 20 mph. The goal of this program is to improve safety by reducing speeds in neighborhoods where many people walk and bicycle.

 

To make this change, the City will be installing many new and additional speed limit signs. Installation is expected to start in late 2026 and take about a year to install almost 3,000 new signs.

 

Learn more at cityofsalem.net /safer-streets.

Attached Media Files: High Street Speed Cushion,

City Efforts Making Salem Streets Safer (Photo) - 03/03/26

Salem, Ore. — In another step forward for Salem’s Safer Streets program, the City installed speed cushions and stop signs to improve safety for residents as they walk, bike or drive along city streets.

 

Speed Cushions: Safe for Residents and First Responders

Speed cushions are a speed bump with openings for emergency vehicles. The cushions encourage residents and visitors to drive at or below posted speed limits. For emergency vehicles, the openings in speed cushions help maintain speeds needed when transporting patients or responding to emergencies.

 

The three speed cushions added to High Street SE between Trade Street SE and Mission Street SE were chosen as part of the City’s Safer Streets Program, where residents had requested traffic-calming measures. The City collected speed and volume data and scored this request against other requests received at that time.

 

Stop Signs Add Clarity to Traffic Flow

To improve safety, 38 new stop signs were added to the Northstar Communities development located north of Kale Road NE. These signs reduce confusion and potential conflicts at intersections.

 

These projects were funded through the Neighborhood Solutions Program. This program was initially launched with one-time COVID-related funds allocated to transportation safety. Future funding for the program will come from the City’s transportation budget.

 

Neighborhood traffic-calming projects like these are a City priority outlined in the Neighborhood Traffic Management Plan.

 

Safety Decisions are Guided by Residents

To help inform future safety decisions, the City created an online portal where residents can request traffic calming for their neighborhood streets, stop signs, and safer pedestrian crossings. Learn more at cityofsalem.net/safer-streets.

 

When selecting projects, we look at things like traffic, speed and how close the area is to schools, parks and transit. We also think about whether the area is in a neighborhood that hasn’t always had the same access to resources.

 

So far, the City has received over 750 requests for improved pedestrian crossings at 333 specific locations. Staff received almost 600 requests for traffic calming at 191 unique locations and more than 200 requests for new stop signs in neighborhoods.

 

Safety Programs Will Guide Future Efforts

To further enhance resident safety, the City is pursuing two additional programs, Vision Zero Transportation Safety Action Plan and 20 is Plenty, with federal grants through the Safe Streets and Roads for All.

 

For the Vision Zero Transportation Safety Action Plan, residents and community partners will be invited to prioritize actions to improve safety for all users, with an emphasis on eliminating serious injuries and deaths as a result of crashes. Crash data and other conditions that contribute to crashes.

 

The 20 is Plenty program will reduce speed limits on all local residential streets in Salem from 25 mph to 20 mph. The goal of this program is to improve safety by reducing speeds in neighborhoods where many people walk and bicycle.

 

To make this change, the City will be installing many new and additional speed limit signs. Installation is expected to start in late 2026 and take about a year to install almost 3,000 new signs.

 

Learn more at cityofsalem.net /safer-streets.

Attached Media Files: High Street Speed Cushion,