City of Salem Honors Road Traffic Victims on the World Day of Remembrance, Announces $700,000 in Grant Awards to Fund Traffic Safety Projects

The City of Salem is joining with communities around the world on Sunday, November 19^th to mark the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, remembering and honoring those who have been killed or seriously injured in traffic crashes. The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims is commemorated on the third Sunday of November each year. Mayor Dominick Pangallo encourages Salem residents to use the occasion to reflect on those that the Salem community has lost and the families and loved ones of those victims. In the past year, four Salem residents have died from traffic crashes, and numerous more residents have sustained injuries because of crashes, including a number of serious, debilitating injuries.

“The loss and pain that too many have experienced as a result of traffic crashes is profound,” said Mayor Pangallo, “Each and every death caused by a crash results in a lifetime of heartbreak for the family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, teachers, and classmates of the victim, whether they were in a car, walking, or riding a bicycle. The emotional toll on our first responders is also especially impactful and I am grateful to those who serve in those roles for their professionalism and compassion when these tragedies occur. I invite the Salem community to join with me in remembrance of all local victims of roadway violence. Together, we can commit to making safe decisions while driving and to improving the safety of Salem’s roadways.”

In conjunction with today’s announcement and the World Day of Remembrance, Mayor Pangallo announced that the City has received a $200,000 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Action Plan grant from the United States Department of Transportation, through the recently passed Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The grant will fund the creation of strategic Action Plan to help prevent and reduce roadway fatalities and injuries. The development of the plan will take place over the next two years and involve multiple public engagement and collaboration opportunities, in addition to technical and policy analysis. Completion of the Action Plan will enable the City to apply for additional funds through the SS4A program to help implement projects identified in the safety vision plan.

While the Action Plan is developed, the City continues working on several short- and long-term efforts with the goal of improving safety and accessibility for roadway users throughout the community. This ongoing work is being done in reflection of the existing Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program and Salem’s Complete Streets Prioritization Plan.

Over the last year, the City has completed a study and redesign of the intersection of Jefferson Avenue at Willson Street. The intersection provides access to the Horace Mann Laboratory School and Salem High School. Over the last five years, 26 crashes were reported, including a pedestrian fatality in April 2023. The development of 100% design plans will be completed and put out to bid before the end of the year with the goal of beginning construction in 2024. Improvements will include the addition of a fully actuated traffic signal as well as ADA compliant pedestrian ramps, crosswalks, and sidewalks. 

To improve accessibility and safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists, the City is finalizing a redesign of the intersection of Fort Avenue at Winter Island Road, Columbus Avenue, and Columbus Square. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation has awarded the City a $500,000 Complete Streets grant to construct the proposed improvements. This intersection provides access to significant outdoor and recreational uses, including Salem Willows and Winter Island Park, as well the nearby residential neighborhood and Plummer Youth Promise. The project will introduce traffic calming elements, including two raised crosswalks with pedestrian activated signals, an enhanced and extended bi-directional multi-use path, and additional sidewalks to further improve the pedestrian network. Construction is scheduled to begin this winter.

Along Derby Street, the City is completing work on a pedestrian safety project that includes sidewalk expansion and intersection improvements at the Daniels Street intersection, as well as a raised crosswalk at the Custom House to help with pedestrian crossings in that area. Much of the sidewalk work has been completed, with the exception of the raised crosswalk, which will be installed in early 2024.

Lastly, the City is commencing a citywide sidewalk repair review and repair project. Using SeeClickFix and Salem 311, Salem’s Department of Public Services has taken in hundreds of sidewalk repair requests. The plan in development will strive to zero that list out to the greatest extent possible, to address the many small repair needs that will enable a safer and more accessible sidewalk network for pedestrians. Inspection and assessment work will begin later this fall, with construction set to start in the spring.

About the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims

The World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims is a high-profile global event to remember the many millions who have been killed and seriously injured on the world’s roads and to acknowledge the suffering of all affected victims, families, and communities – millions added each year to countless millions already suffering: a truly tremendous cumulative toll. This is also an opportunity to pay tribute to the dedicated emergency crews, police and medical professionals, who deal daily with the traumatic aftermath of road crashes.

With over 1.2 million people killed each year, road crashes are a leading cause of death. Over 3400 men, women and children are killed every single day on the world’s roads while walking, cycling, or driving. They will never return home. Another 20–50 million others are injured each year. The sheer size of the death toll is staggering. The tragedy is especially profound, as it is mainly the young and healthy, those in the prime of life and supporting their families, who are killed.

To learn more about the World Remembrance Day for Road Traffic Victims, visit: https://worlddayofremembrance.org/.