Development News for Salem, Oregon

Downtown Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Study Update Presented to Council

The City Council received an update on the downtown bicycle and pedestrian safety study, which is currently refining recommendations. The study, initiated in February 2024, has undergone contracting, scoping, and analysis over the past year. Recommendations are being developed in coordination with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) for facilities within the study area. Public outreach is underway, with presentations planned for neighborhood associations and advisory boards, culminating in a council presentation at the end of the summer. Implementation is expected to begin this fall as a phased approach. The study's goals include improving safety for pedestrians and cyclists, reducing travel speeds, and identifying low-cost safety improvements. Key best practices discussed include leading pedestrian intervals, no turn on red, and reducing downtown progression speeds to 20 mph. Several intersections were highlighted for safety concerns, including Commercial/Marion, Liberty/Ferry, Commercial/Ferry, Front/Commercial, and State/Front. The study also evaluated signal timing and progression, proposing speed reductions on ODOT facilities by 5 mph and on city streets from 25 mph to 20 mph, with some exceptions. Alternative analyses showed improved progression and reduced delay and carbon emissions with reduced speeds. The city is coordinating with ODOT on proposed changes, noting ODOT's authority over its facilities. Discussions also addressed extending leading pedestrian interval (LPI) times, with staff indicating a need for data from the current 3-second LPI before considering longer durations. Public commenters raised concerns about study area scope, ODOT's jurisdiction, LPI timing, and the need for more aggressive safety measures, while staff emphasized the project's focus on low-cost, implementable solutions and ongoing collaboration with ODOT.