Starting May 19th, residents who usually traverse Caplinger Road SE will need to seek alternate routes, as the stretch between Macleay Road SE and the Fruitland Meadow Apartments is set to close for vehicle traffic until May 30, according to the City of Salem. To maintain access for local residents, traffic will be limited to locals, while eastbound drivers will be directed to detour via Macleay Road SE, and those accessing Evergreen Village must use Kauai Street SE.
The closure marks the commencement of several upgrades in the area, including the enhancement of sidewalks, curb ramps, streetlights, and the stormwater system; alongside these improvements a new pedestrian crossing and accessible ramps will be made available on Macleay Road SE, and there will be an update to the sidewalk and curb ramp on 49th Avenue SE, the city's website has outlined the specifics of the project, which prolongs its operations until October, with the promise of the southbound lane reopening post-May 30. The upgrades aim to bolster sidewalk connectivity and pedestrian safety, focusing particularly on the well-being of schoolchildren making their way to Mary Eyre and Miller Elementary Schools, as well as other local hotspots.
This endeavor, which receives financial support through an Oregon Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School grant in conjunction with System Development Charges from the City of Salem, directly responds to the community's needs for safer pathways; Residents during this time are asked to steer clear of the construction zone where possible, but if travel through the area is necessary, they should remain vigilant and adhere to reduced speed limits and traffic control, to ensure everyone’s safety, the city emphatically requests adherence to all safety measures in place around the work zone.
For those interested in staying informed about road conditions and any unpredictable closures, information is regularly updated on the City of Salem’s Current Road Conditions Map, which is accessible online through their website, the gap in Caplinger Road is just a piece of a broader, robust mosaic of civic infrastructure improvements designed to pave the way for both residents and the environment to move harmoniously within Salem's evolving cityscape.
