TO: Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Keith Stahley, City Manager
FROM: Brian D. Martin, PE, Public Works Director
SUBJECT:
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Approval to submit applications for federal transportation funding through the Salem-Keizer Area Transportation Study (SKATS).
Wards: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 8
Councilors: Nishioka, Matthews, Gwyn, Brown, Varney
Neighborhoods: Faye-Wright, Morningside, Northgate, Southeast Salem, South Gateway, and West Salem Neighborhood Associations
Result Areas: Safe, Reliable and Efficient Infrastructure.
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SUMMARY:
summary
The Salem-Keizer Area Transportation Study (SKATS) is soliciting grant applications for transportation projects to be considered for funding in federal fiscal years 2027 through 2032. Staff reviewed eligible projects and are recommending that the City submit applications for six projects. The recommended projects emphasize safety and align with the goals of the Metropolitan Transportation Plan.
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ISSUE:
Shall City Council authorize the City Manager to submit applications for federal transportation funding, allocated by the Salem-Keizer Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, for six projects, listed in the facts and findings in priority order; and, if successful, authorize the City Manager to enter into agreements with the Oregon Department of Transportation to accept the funds?
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Authorize the City Manager to submit applications for federal transportation funding, allocated by the Salem-Keizer Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, for six projects, listed in the facts and findings in priority order; and, if successful, authorize the City Manager to enter into agreements with the Oregon Department of Transportation to accept the funds.
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FACTS AND FINDINGS:
Salem has many transportation needs, many of which are documented in the Salem Transportation System Plan and the Metropolitan Transportation Plan. Staff reviewed projects identified in these plans as well as needs for sidewalks that were identified in 2024 through public outreach. Projects were evaluated based on the degree to which they address the goals in the Metropolitan Transportation Plan, with an emphasis placed on safety for all users. Staff recommends submitting applications to SKATS requesting federal funds for six projects. The project locations are highlighted in the attached vicinity map. The projects are listed in recommended priority order as follows:
1. Commercial Street SE Pedestrian Improvements
(Wiltsey Road SE to Waln Drive SE)
2. Fisher Road NE Pedestrian Improvements
(Ward Drive NE to White Oak Court NE)
3. Salem Heights Avenue SE Urban Upgrade
(Liberty Road S to Triangle Drive SE)
4. Orchard Heights Road NW Pedestrian Improvements
(Linwood Street NW to Chapman Hill Drive NW)
5. Commercial Street SE Planning Study
(Promontory Place SE to Sunnyside Road SE)
6. 25th Street SE Multi-Use Path
(Mission Street SE to Madrona Avenue SE)
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The total estimated cost of all six recommended projects is approximately $21.5 million. If all projects receive funding, the City’s required match (10.27 percent) would be approximately $2.2 million. Possible sources for matching funds include leveraging funds from the 2022 Safety and Livability Bond or limited funding programmed for grant match from the City’s share of the State Highway Fund. Preliminary estimates for each project are included below. Cost estimates will be further reviewed by SKATS later this spring.
Applications are due February 25, 2025. Projects will be ranked and selected by the SKATS Policy Committee, on which Councilor Varney serves as the City of Salem representative. If a project is selected, the costs will be inflated to the align with the anticipated year of expenditure. Project selection will be finalized in May 2026. Staff will return to Council for approval of matching funds through the budget process for applications that are awarded federal funds. Possible sources for matching funds include leveraging funds from the 2022 Safety and Livability Bond or limited funding programmed for grant match from the City’s share of the State Highway Fund.
Commercial Street SE Pedestrian Improvements
(Wiltsey Road SE to Waln Drive SE)
Estimated project cost: $4,142,000
This project would construct pedestrian improvements on Commercial Street SE, south of Wiltsey Road SE. The project is intended to support pedestrian access to the proposed South Salem Transit Center (northeast corner of intersection of Commercial Street SE and Wiltsey Road SE). The focus of this project is on the west side of Commercial Street SE; improvements on the east side of the street are anticipated to occur as part of future development.
Project elements include:
• Wiltsey Road SE to Madras Street SE: new sidewalk on the west side of Commercial Street SE, an additional southbound travel lane, buffer for southbound bike lane; and
• Commercial Street SE at Waln Drive SE: enhanced pedestrian crossing.
Fisher Road NE Pedestrian Improvements
(Ward Drive NE to White Oak Court NE)
Estimated project cost: $3,445,000
This project would construct pedestrian improvements on Fisher Road NE in the vicinity of Fisher Road Park. Upon completion, there would be continuous sidewalks on the east side of Fisher Road NE between Ward Drive NE and Silverton Road NE. Improvements to Fisher Road NE south of Silverton Road NE are programmed in the 2022 Safety and Livability Bond. This would be a joint project with Marion County to construct missing sections of sidewalk located outside City limits. Marion County has expressed support for this joint application and would be responsible for match for their portion of the project.
Project elements include:
• New sidewalk within the City limits on the east side of Fisher Road NE from south of Ward Drive NE to north of Cooley Drive NE;
• An enhanced pedestrian crossing of Fisher Road NE in the vicinity of Fisher Road Park;
• New sidewalk in Marion County north and south of Cooley Drive NE; and
• New sidewalk, curb, and gutter in Marion County adjacent to 3844 Fisher Road NE (corner of Fisher Road NE and Hornbeam Street NE).
Salem Heights Avenue SE Urban Upgrade
(Liberty Road S to Triangle Drive SE)
Estimated project cost: $4,900,000
This section of Salem Heights Avenue SE connects Liberty Road S to Commercial Street SE. Between Liberty Road S and Triangle Drive SE, Salem Heights Avenue is not improved to urban standards - meaning that it has no sidewalks or stormwater drainage. East of Triangle Drive SE, the roadway changes name to Ratcliff Drive SE. This area is expected to see increased vehicle traffic when the new traffic signal is installed on Commercial Street SE at Ratcliff Drive SE (construction programmed 2027).
Project elements include:
• New sidewalks, curbs, and gutters;
• Streetlights, and
• Pavement reconstruction.
Orchard Heights Road NW Pedestrian Improvements
(Linwood Street NW to Chapman Hill Drive NW)
Estimated project cost: $1,671,000
This project addresses the lack of sidewalks on the north side of Orchard Heights Road NW connecting dense residential development near Linwood Street NW to Orchard Heights Park. The project also includes an enhanced pedestrian crossing of Orchard Heights Road NW at Chapman Hill Drive NW.
Project elements include:
• Sidewalk, curb, and gutter along the north side of Orchard Heights Road connecting Linwood Street NW to Chapman Hill Drive NW;
• An enhanced pedestrian crossing of Orchard Heights Road NW at Chapman Hill Drive NW;
• A new hard surface path from the road to connect to the existing park path; and
• A new bridge in the park over Glenn Creek to provide access for pedestrians, bicyclists, and Parks maintenance vehicles.
Commercial Street SE Planning Study
(Promontory Place SE to Sunnyside Road SE)
Estimated project cost: $500,000
This project would develop a plan for how to address the many transportation issues present in this section of Commercial Street SE (approximately 1/3 mile). This major arterial roadway has high traffic volumes and relatively high speeds but no facilities for pedestrians. Adding sidewalks is complicated by the topography (significant drop off on the west side), a creek crossing, and free right-hand turn lanes at the 12th Street Cutoff and where Sunnyside Road SE begins. This section of Commercial also has two of the City’s oldest span-wire traffic signals. A plan would help identify if adjustments to the alignment of these intersections would better meet the needs of all users. The results of this planning effort would be used to inform future funding decisions.
25th Street SE Multi-Use Path
(Mission Street SE to Madrona Avenue SE)
Estimated project cost: $6,780,000
This section of 25th Street SE is a Major Arterial in the Salem Transportation System Plan and contains four 12-foot-wide travel lanes with a 5-foot sidewalk on the west side of the street only. It has a posted speed of 45mph. Very few bicyclists use 25th Street SE because of the high traffic speeds and volumes on the road.
This project will construct a multi-use path along the east side of 25th Street SE. Constructing the path will require shifting the airport security fence in some locations and piping an adjacent storm drainage ditch in other locations. Coordination with the airport indicates that this path can be accommodated, although right-of-way will need to be purchased from the City-owned airport. This project will connect to a project constructed in 2016 at the intersection of 25th Street SE and Madrona Avenue SE, which includes the southern portion of this path and a bike signal to cross people to the bike lanes on Madrona Avenue SE west of the intersection with 25th Street SE. Providing a multi-use path, with lighting, will provide a safer route for bicyclists and pedestrians. It will also provide a link to bicycle and pedestrian connections being constructed on McGilchrist Street SE.
Project elements include:
• 10-foot multi-use path along east side of 25th Street SE; and
• Pedestrian lighting.
BACKGROUND:
SKATS is soliciting applications for transportation projects for funding in Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2027 through FFY 2032. The total amount of federal funds available for this solicitation is approximately $28 million in FFY 2027 to FFY 2030. Additional funding is anticipated to be available for projects in FFY 2031 and 2032; however, programming projects in these years is at the discretion of the SKATS Policy Committee. The total amount of available funding is subject to change.
Recipients are required to provide matching funds to cover at least 10.27 percent of the project cost. To be eligible for funding, projects must be within the SKATS boundary and be included in, or consistent with, the Metropolitan Transportation Plan. Projects are expected to be regionally significant and assist in achieving one or more goals in the Metropolitan Transportation System Plan.
Robert D. Chandler, PhD, PE
Assistant Public Works Director
Attachment:
Attachment 1 - SKATS Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) FFY 2027-32 Proposed Applications Vicinity Map