FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, November 5, 2015
CONTACTS
Brian Martin, Assistant City Engineer, City of Salem, Public Works, 503-588-6211,
bmartin@cityofsalem.net
Mike Gotterba, Emergency Preparedness/Communications Manager, City of Salem, Public
Works, 503-588-6347, mgotterba@cityofsalem.net
Maureen A. Kenney, Public Relations Manager, City of Salem, City Manager’s Office, 503588-6363, mkenney@cityofsalem.net
City of Salem 2015 Infrastructure Improvements: Bridge Work, Road
Improvements and Safety Upgrades
The Road Ahead: Priority Projects for 2016
The inconvenience of detours, lane restrictions and street closures in recent months has paid off in the way of
improved infrastructure, progress and safety for the people Salem. “We deeply appreciate the patience that the
public displayed over the last several months,” says Peter Fernandez, Director of Public Works. “By thoughtful
planning, leveraging optimal weather and working together as a community, we can now all enjoy improved
infrastructure in Salem, including new bicycle lanes and street lights as well as improved bridges, roads,
sidewalks and waterlines.”
Salem’s most high-profile, public construction project this year is the Peter Courtney Minto Island Pedestrian
Bridge. “This bridge will become an icon for the City of Salem and a wonderful, regional community asset”,
said Interim City Manager Kacey Duncan. “It has been a long-standing community vision to connect our major
urban parks and more than twenty miles of trails over the Willamette River.” The public can learn more and
watch construction progress by visiting http://www.cityofsalem.net/mintobridge.
Providing Infrastructure and Regional Economic Benefits
In addition to expanding and improving our infrastructure, these projects provide benefit to our local and
regional economy. Local construction companies comprised 97% of the construction contracts awarded through
the Streets and Bridges initiative. The initial set of Streets and Bridges Bond projects have either been
completed or are nearing completion.
Efficiencies Create Savings and Fund Additional Improvements
Savings resulting from diligent management and excellent support from the local contracting and consulting
community, as well as obtaining private, state, and federal funds to offset project costs provided the opportunity
to fund an additional twenty (20) improvement projects ranging from neighborhood sidewalks to rail safety to
street paving and bridges.
About the Streets and Bridges General Obligation Bond
The City of Salem’s capital improvement projects are funded by a variety of sources including a voter-approved
general obligation bond; water, sewer, and storm water revenue; Urban Renewal funds; System Development
Charges; and various state and federal grants. In recent years, the most significant source of capital
improvement funding has been the $99.8 million Streets and Bridges General Obligation Bond, passed by the
voters in November, 2008. These funds were used to improve safety and capacity of streets, rehabilitate and
replace bridges and deteriorated pavement; and for match money to secure state and federal grants.
2015 Accomplishments
Here are some key accomplishments from the 2015 construction season:
Eola Drive NW Pavement Rehabilitation: Kingwood Drive NW to Edgewater Street NW
This Streets and Bridges Bond savings project rehabilitated sidewalks and street pavement on Eola Drive NW
through a combination of pavement grinding, pavement overlays and road reconstruction. The project also
added sidewalk on the east side of the street, replaced traffic signal and added bike lanes.
Total Project Cost: $1.4 million
Local Contractor:
North Santiam Paving, based in Stayton, is a leading provider of professional
construction services throughout the Mid-Willamette Valley and Western Forest regions of Oregon.
Skyline Road S Corridor Improvements
This Streets and Bridges Bond-funded project widened Skyline Road to minor arterial street standards with a
center turn lane, proper travel lane widths, bicycle lanes, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, storm drains and street lights
between Kuebler Boulevard S and Liberty Road S. The project is nearing completion and will improve safety
for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists.
Total Project Cost: $5.6 million
Local Contractor:
North Santiam Paving, based in Stayton, is a leading provider of professional
construction services throughout the Mid-Willamette Valley and Western Forest regions of Oregon.
Traffic Restrictions: Minor lane closures until all work is completed in December, 2015
Trelstad Avenue SE to Turner Road SE Waterline Project
This project will result in approximately 7,300 feet of new 18-inch diameter water main and is funded with a
combination of water rates and water system development charge funds. Combined with the Mill Creek
Reservoir, completed in 2014, the Trelstad waterline improvements will provide increased water distribution
capacity to support development and attract businesses and industry to the Mill Creek Corporate Center and
Salem Renewable Energy Park. The alignment of the pipe runs along Turner Road, Boone Road, 36th Avenue,
Trelstad Road, 32nd Avenue, and Marietta Street. The project is anticipated to be complete in November, 2015.
Total Project Cost: $2.4 million
Local Contractor:
K & E, Northwest Excavators, is based in Salem, Oregon and builds, widens and
repairs roads, highways, and bridges that connect cities and communities.
Traffic Restrictions: Construction will last until November, 2015. There will be periodic lane restrictions until
all work is complete.
Peter Courtney Minto Island Pedestrian Bridge
The City of Salem and Salem's Urban Renewal Agency have been working toward a long-standing community
vision of connecting three major urban parks via two pedestrian bridges over the Willamette River. The
proposed bridge, currently under construction, will link Riverfront Park with Minto-Brown Island Park and
connect more than 20 miles of off-street trails, 1,000 acres of parks and natural areas and provide access to
activity centers in downtown and West Salem. The contractor has completed work on the temporary bridge and
abutments for the permanent bridge. Temporary arch supports have also been erected to support the permanent
bridge arches that are scheduled to be installed in early 2016.
Total Project Cost: $10 million
Local Contractor:
Legacy Contracting, Inc., based in Salem, specializes in building heavy highway
projects, marine work, and utility improvements for public and private entities in Oregon and Washington.
Minto-Brown Island Park Restrictions:
Construction is underway and the project is expected to be
completed in November, 2016. Both Riverfront Park and Minto-Brown Island Park remain open. However,
areas near the bridge construction site are closed. There may also be periodic closures to certain trails in MintoBrown Island Park that provide construction access to the site. These trails are currently posted with signs to
inform Park users of their availability.
High Street NE Bridge over Mill Creek
This project was funded with a combination of Federal Highway Administration funds and Streets and Bridges
Bond savings and provides permanent protection to the bridge abutments and foundations that were damaged
during the January, 2012 flood event. The project which was completed earlier this month repaired underwater
structural damage to the bridge, and installed erosion protection measures at the upstream and downstream ends
of the bridge.
Total Project Cost:
Local Contractor:
$700,000
HP Civil, Inc., a highway and street construction company based in Stayton, Oregon.
Winter Street SE Bridge over Shelton Ditch
This project is funded with a combination of Federal Highway Administration funds and Streets and Bridges
Bond savings and will replace the existing bridge that was constructed in 1928 and damaged by the January,
2012 storm event. The new bridge will replicate the historical features of the old bridge by including pedestrian
overlooks and ornamental bridge rails. Work is approximately 50 percent complete and is anticipated to be
substantially complete in December, 2015, with only finish work remaining in 2016.
Total Project Cost: $3.3 million
Local Contractor:
HP Civil, Inc., a highway and street construction company based in Stayton, Oregon.
Traffic Restrictions: Winter Street will be closed to traffic between Bellevue Street (State Highway 22) and
the northerly parking lot of the Salem Hospital through December 30, 2015.
Commercial Street SE and Capitol Street NE Pavement Rehabilitation
This Streets and Bridges Bond project rehabilitated existing pavement on Commercial Street through a
combination of pavement grinding and pavement overlays between Ferry Street SE and Mission Street SE.
Americans with Disabilities Act compliant curb ramps were also constructed and pedestrian protection areas
added in the southwest corner of the Ferry Street intersection. Similar pavement work occurred on Capitol
Street between the Mill Creek Bridge and D Street. Work is schedule to complete in early November, 2015.
Total Project Cost: $850,000
Local Contractor:
Salem Road and Driveway, a Salem, Oregon-based provider of construction services for
public government, private developers, and land owners.
Traffic Restrictions: There will be minor lane closures that will impact travel through the area.
Commercial Street SE and Liberty Street SE Water Transmission Main Replacement
This project included the construction of over 2,100 feet of 24-inch water main and over 1,200 feet of 12-inch
water main. The new water mains replaced old water transmission mains that were construction between 1890
and 1930. The new water mains, which are also larger than the old pipes, will provide increased water
distribution capacity to support growth in the downtown area and will better support the water supply system
for west Salem.
Total Project Cost: $1,719,000
Local Contractor:
Gelco Construction Co., a Salem, Oregon-based construction company.
South River Road Bank Stabilization
In December 2014, a landslide hit a car traveling on River Road S, flipping the vehicle and causing minor injuries to
its driver. To reduce the danger of future landslides along River Road S., about 800 cubic yards of rock and soil was
removed from a ridge in August and September, 2015. The bank stabilization project reduced the hazards by
removing woody materials, excavating loose rocks and replacing damaged rock screen material. Trees were also
removed because their roots were loosening rocks and contributing to the unstable terrain. In November, about 800
feet of fencing will be placed along the top of bank.
Total Project Cost:
Local Contractor:
Washington.
$400,000
Conway Construction, Inc., a Pacific Northwest construction company based in Ridgefield,
Eola Ridge Park
This is the first phase of a multi-phased project that will develop Eola Ridge Park in accordance with the approved
master plan. The project installed an accessible path, designed to the standards of the Americans with Disabilities
Act through the park as well as a small parking area adjacent to Dan Avenue NW. The site was also graded for
future development.
Total Project Cost:
$450,000
Local Contractor:
Milroy Golf Systems, Inc., a Northwest golf course construction business based in Newberg,
OR, specializing in irrigation installation & feature construction.
The Road Ahead: Priority Projects for 2016
These are some of the priority projects that the City of Salem Public Works Department will be focused on in
2016.
25th Street SE and Madrona Avenue SE Intersection Improvements
The current configuration of the 25th Street SE and Madrona Avenue SE intersection is deficient and in need of
improvements due to current traffic volumes, large truck operations, and the presence of industrial workers,
suppliers, and pass-through traffic from southeast Salem residents. In 2013 and 2014, expansions by NORPAC
and Henningsen Cold Storage furthered the need to improve this intersection to allow for the safe and efficient
transfer of goods and services through the area. This Streets and Bridges Bond Savings project will realign
Madrona Avenue SE to connect directly to 25th Street SE forming a direct route to Mission Street SE. In
addition, Madrona Avenue will be widened to accommodate two travel lanes in each direction, a center-turn
lane, bike lanes, and sidewalks on both sides of the street. A new traffic signal will also be installed to connect
the south leg of 25th Street SE to the intersection. If funds are available, 22nd Street SE will also be extended to
intersect with Madrona Avenue SE. Due to the economic development potential made available by this project,
the City was awarded $1,000,000 of Immediate Opportunity Funding from Oregon Department of
Transportation to fund a portion of the project cost. Construction is scheduled to begin in April, 2016 and be
complete by January, 2017.
Total Project Cost: $7,800,000
Contractor:
To be determined
Traffic Impacts:
The intersection of 25th Street and Madrona Ave. SE will be closed to all traffic from
June, 2016 through October, 2016.
Kuebler Boulevard SE Eastbound Widening
The City widened the westbound direction of Kuebler Boulevard SE several years ago and this project will
provide similar improvements in the eastbound direction to include an additional travel lane, bike lane, and
sidewalk from Commercial Street SE to Interstate-5. The adjacent developer contributed $3,000,000 toward the
project and the City will contribute $2,250,000 in Streets and Bridges Bond savings and Transportation System
Development Charges. Construction is scheduled to begin in April, 2016 and be complete by December, 2016.
Total Project Cost:
Contractor:
$5,250,000
To be determined
Commercial Street SE and Kuebler Boulevard SE Intersection Improvements
To improve capacity and minimize travel delays, this project will result in dual left-turn lanes on all four
approaches of the intersection and replace the existing traffic signal. A right-turn lane will also be constructed
on Commercial Street SE in the southbound direction. The project will be funded by Streets and Bridges Bond
savings and Transportation System Development Charges. Construction is scheduled to begin in April, 2016
and be complete by December, 2016.
Total Project Cost:
Contractor:
$5,400,000
To be determined
Railroad Crossing Safety Improvements—Phase 2 (Woodrow St NE and Silverton Road NE)
This Streets and Bridges Bond savings will improve two additional street crossings of the Union Pacific
Railroad at Woodrow Street NE and Silverton Road NE. Americans with Disabilities Act accessible pedestrian
facilities, safety medians, and other crossing safety devices will be installed which will allow the City to extend
the current Railroad Quiet Zone from its present terminus at Market Street NE, north through the Silverton
Road NE crossing. Construction is scheduled to begin in April, 2016 and be complete by August, 2016.
Total Project Cost:
Contractor:
$1,775,000
To be determined
Willow Lake Gravity Thickener Rehabilitation Project
The Willow Lake Wastewater Pollution Control Facility is located on approximately 45 acres in northwest
Keizer. The facility treats all wastewater from Salem, Keizer, and the Turner areas. During normal weather
conditions, the facility treats approximately 40 million gallons of wastewater per day and has the capacity to
treat in excess of 100 million gallons per day during wet weather events. The Gravity Thickener Rehabilitation
project will install new equipment that will improve efficiency in the wastewater treatment process.
Construction is anticipated to begin in January, 2016 and be completed by December, 2017.
Total Project Cost:
Contractor:
$5,425,000
To be determined
Construction Waste Processing and Transfer Center
This project will construct a new facility to dewater street sweepings, excavation debris, and other leafy and soil
debris associated with operating public stormwater facilities. The project will also provide facilities for
receiving septic tank waste from private companies and a location for the City to store and recycle construction
materials. Construction is anticipated to begin this December and be completed by November, 2016.
Total Project Cost: $8,100,000
Contractor:
Corp Inc. Construction, a Commercial General Contractor based in Salem, OR, specializing
in public works projects & building construction.
For Information
For the most up to date information about these projects, please visit Salem maps online. Or, contact Brian
Martin, Assistant City Engineer, City of Salem, Public Works, 503-588-6211, bmartin@cityofsalem.net.
We apologize for any inconvenience this work may cause and thank you for your patience during construction
of these important improvement projects for the City of Salem.
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