Summer Construction Projects to Make Improvements Across Salem

It's a season of change in Salem as summer construction projects continue, with the goal of improving the lives of Salem residents and visitors.

When encountering construction projects and workers, residents and visitors are asked to use caution, expect some delays, and follow all traffic control signage. These actions help travelers and workers stay safe.

Pavement Rehabilitation

Projects in south and west Salem will rehabilitate pavement on city roadways. This includes resurfacing roadways, replacing curb ramps to ensure accessibility, striping, minor traffic signal modifications and waterline replacement. Both projects are made possible by funds from the 2022 Safety and Livability Bond and Utility Rates.

This work will require traffic control, including shifting travel lanes and rerouting pedestrians and cyclists around the work area. Please use caution, expect some delays and follow traffic control signage.

Construction on Commercial Street SE from 12th Street cutoff SE to Boone Road SE will continue through November. The speed limit on Commercial Street SE within the project limits will be reduced to 30 mph for the duration of the project. Night work will be necessary to complete this section of the project.

Construction on Doaks Ferry Road NW from Brush College Drive NW to Emerald Drive NW will continue through September.

McKay Park

Work has begun in McKay Park to expand opportunities for enjoyment. Work is expected to be complete by the end of November. The east parking lot will be closed to the public for the duration of the project.

Crews are removing the remnant concrete hardscape and replacing it with expanded concrete park paths to add a new shelter space with picnic tables and benches, along with an adjacent pad and extended utilities for a future food truck. Two prefabricated steel restrooms will also be installed on the site.

Outdoor recreation areas will also see improvements. The two soccer fields adjacent to McKay High School will be refurbished with a new drainage system, irrigation and fresh natural grass turf surfacing.

To increase engagement in this neighborhood amenity, plantings will be added to provide landscaping around the new picnic area.

Bailey Ridge Park

Starting in July, crews will be busy in Bailey Ridge Park adding new plants and an asphalt walking path.

The project will restore Chambers Swale and enhance connectivity between neighborhoods. Crews will create a new paved path connecting Illahe Court South to Tayside Street South and restore Chambers Creek to improve its health and stability. This comprehensive approach will directly benefit the surrounding community by improving water quality and safety within Bailey Ridge Park.

The restoration efforts will include stabilizing creek banks, preventing erosion and sedimentation while enhancing the natural flow of the water. By planting native vegetation, we aim to create a healthier habitat for aquatic life and ensure the long-term environmental resilience of the swale.

Alongside these ecological improvements, the construction of a new paved path will provide a safe and convenient route for pedestrians and cyclists to travel through the neighborhood, better connecting our local residents to their outdoor spaces. Since the path will be constructed on a hillside, there will be a series of switchbacks through the forest of trees to allow for a gradual descent.

Civic Center Seismic Retrofit

Work continues on the seismic retrofit of Civic Center. The 2022 voter-approved Safety and Livability Bond included $39.4 million for seismic, system improvements and accessibility upgrades to the Civic Center.

Residents can now see progress on the six shear walls. These walls help seismically strengthen the building to better withstand an earthquake, similar to work done on the nearby Salem Public Library.

Inside, crews are making other building improvements, including new HVAC and plumbing systems. Above, the roof is being replaced as part of the project.

Work will continue through the summer and fall and is slated to be complete in early 2027.

Downtown Streetscape

The Salem Downtown Streetscape project is designed to update to the look and feel of downtown.

This includes replacing concrete sidewalks, replacing curbs and parking areas to accommodate drainage, installing pedestrian-level lighting, installing larger planter areas to promote tree health (including additional ground-cover plants at the base of trees) and landscaping enhancements at alley entrances for improved visibility.

A series of focus group meetings in 2016 identified streetscape improvements as one of the top urban renewal funding priorities within the Riverfront-Downtown Urban Renewal Area.

Further public open houses and a pilot project helped to define the scope of improvements included in the Downtown Streetscape Plan.

Center Street Brick Sewer Rehabilitation

The project will structurally rehabilitate and reline a large brick sewer pipeline along Center Street NE between Church Street and 12th Street.

Construction is scheduled for this summer and should be done by early September and is paid for with Utility Rate funds.

Riverfront Playground Renovation: Construction Begins!

The renovation and expansion of the Riverfront Park playground is underway. This transformation will deliver an expanded play area featuring accessible elements designed to create a welcoming and inclusive environment for children of all abilities.

In addition to the new playground, the project includes a new path along the south edge of the South Meadow to guide park users around the expanded site. Significant improvements are being made to the electrical distribution system throughout the park to better support community events.

The new playground is scheduled to open by late summer 2026. We look forward to sharing further updates as construction milestones are reached.

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