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Candidates propose protected lanes, raised crosswalks and signal fixes to improve pedestrian and bike safety
Summary
Ward 1 and Ward 2 candidates highlighted specific intersections and infrastructure fixes — protected bike lanes, raised crosswalks, signal timing and speed bumps — to improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists in Salem.
Candidates at the League of Women Voters forum described a range of changes they would pursue to improve safety for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists in Salem. Erin Jaroski, who co-founded the Salem Safe Walking Advocacy Group and served on the city’s Transportation Commission, said the city should “provide protected infrastructure especially for cyclists” and cited the Derby and Webb intersection as a “high conflict area.”
Cindy Jerslow pointed to completed work on Ford Avenue and Columbus Avenue where the neighborhood won new speed bumps, sidewalks and crosswalk lighting, and urged raising the Ford Avenue bike lane curb and adding lighting. Walt Morel, who sits on the city bicycle and shared-paths committee, supported a flashing light for the Harbor Walk crosswalk behind Notch Brewery and said the Washington Street reconfiguration should be re-examined because of emergency access issues.
Andrew Smith and John Newhall urged connected, protected bike lanes and shortened crossings, including raised crosswalks and diagonal crossings to slow vehicles. Several candidates noted different local hot spots: Derby and Webb, Essex and North Street, the Roger Conant/Commons area and sections of Ford Avenue and Harbor Street on the Point. Candidates framed most proposals as capital or engineering fixes that would require traffic-department follow-up and funding rather than immediate ordinance changes.
