Mode Shift Salem

Update of December 5, 2018: Voting for Salem’s Mode Shift alternative transportation participatory budgeting initiative ended on November 30th. Salem residents were invited vote on their favorites among the eleven ideas submitted by their neighbors - all ideas that could help reduce traffic congestion, improve bicycle and pedestrian access and safety, and encourage alternative modes of transit.

The top vote-getting idea out of the 350 votes cast was the installation of enhanced in-ground or similar type lighting at high-volume crosswalks in downtown Salem to make these busy crossing safer and more visible. Second place went to expanded lighting along downtown walkways and sidewalks.

“I would like to thank all the Salem residents who both submitted ideas to be on the ballot and who took the time to vote on their choices,” said Mayor Kim Driscoll. “It was great to hear so many innovative suggestions to encourage alternative modes of getting to and around Salem. Our hope is that even those ideas that did not receive funding through the participatory budgeting vote will remain on our City’s radar as potential future projects and programs that we could explore regardless.”

The City will next evaluate locations in downtown Salem, including busy crosswalks and walkways, where this type of lighting can be installed within the $30,000 program budget and have the greatest positive impact.

How it’s funded

The program is being funded by $30,000 that the City of Salem has received from the Commonwealth through a state charge assessed on ride-share services like Uber and Lyft in 2017. Per the state law, ten cents from each such ride is being distributed proportionately to each city and town based on the number of rides that originated in that community. Salem's share for FY2018 is about $30,000.