Salem approves emergency agreement with ODOT to upgrade State Street traffic signals; paving set to begin April 14

Salem City Council on April 1 approved a resolution authorizing the city’s Service and Safety Director to enter agreements and set cost‑sharing with the Ohio Department of Transportation to upgrade traffic‑signal equipment along State Street (State Route 14) and declared the measure an emergency.

The action, adopted as Resolution 250401‑17, directs the Service and Safety Department to accept a grant and proceed with software and controller upgrades intended to synchronize signals, reduce idling and lower vehicle emissions. Safety and Services Director Joe Capisello described the existing system as antiquated and out of warranty and said the work will improve traffic flow.

The council’s approval matters because the upgrades are tied to state and federal grant funding. Capisello told council the project was roughly “about a half million dollar project,” with combined federal and state grant funding of about $380,000 and the city’s remaining share roughly $110,000. He said the work is expected to start after the city’s Super Cruise event and that the project scope was scaled back from an earlier estimate of $600,000–$650,000 to reduce the local share.

Capisello: “They’re out of warranty. They’re over 20 years old. It’s going to be about a half million dollar project.”

Council discussed timing and budget during the meeting. Councilman Noll introduced the resolution and the council adopted the emergency clause before the clerk read the resolution by title. The resolution passed on a roll‑call vote with all councilmembers present voting yes.

Separately, Capisello reported that paving work on State Street and North Lincoln is scheduled to begin April 14. He said that paving is fully funded by federal sources and ODOT, that the project is nearly $1 million and that downtown traffic diversions and temporary disruptions are expected while crews work to complete the downtown segments quickly.

Council members and staff urged downtown businesses and residents to plan for short‑term disruptions and noted the city will use signage and communications (including the city’s text alert and police department pages) to direct drivers to public parking during construction.

Votes at a glance: Resolution 250401‑17 — motion to adopt by Councilman Noll; no recorded amendment; roll‑call vote: Baer (yes), Bricker (yes), Newman (yes), Noll (yes), Stockman (yes), Zellers (yes), Sellers (yes). Outcome: approved (emergency clause included). Implementation responsibility: Service and Safety Department to finalize agreements with ODOT and execute work.

The upgrades are tied to grants that the city said are aimed at reducing vehicle idling and emissions; Capisello said the city requested the work to modernize controllers and synchronizing software so traffic moves more efficiently through Salem. The city expects to begin signal work after Super Cruise and the paving contractor to mobilize equipment next week.

For residents: expect temporary traffic diversions on State Street and North Lincoln during construction; the city will provide timing updates through official channels.