Salem is preparing for a major traffic squeeze on Wednesday, May 13, as thousands of law enforcement officers and first responders are expected in the city for the funeral of Massachusetts State Trooper Kevin Trainor. A Funeral Mass is set for 11 a.m. at St. James Catholic Church on Federal Street, with a rifle salute and a helicopter flyover planned as part of the ceremony. Neighbors in the downtown area should be ready for tight restrictions on vehicle access and stretches of no on‑street parking through the morning hours.
Road Closures And Who They Affect
In a detailed neighborhood‑by‑neighborhood advisory, Salem Police laid out which streets will shut down, when it will happen and how residents can still get home. Roads surrounding St. James are scheduled to close starting at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, and some residents will only be able to reach their addresses on foot for part of the morning. The notice calls for no on‑street parking on Federal Street between 135 and 170, and lists Flint Street from Mason to Essex as closed for the funeral procession. Anyone who needs help navigating the closures is asked to contact Salem Police Dispatch at (978) 744‑1212, according to a post by the Salem Police Department.
How To Watch The Procession
The City of Salem is steering members of the public who want to pay their respects to a specific stretch of the route. Officials are asking people to line Boston Street west of Bridge Street toward Peabody and to start gathering at about 9:45 a.m. A rifle salute and helicopter flyover are part of the planned honors, and the city says services should wrap up well before the evening commute so that streets can reopen in time for rush hour, according to the City of Salem.
Local Access Rules And Alternate Routes
The police advisory breaks access down by specific blocks so residents know exactly what they are in for. Some addresses will have no vehicle access during the height of the ceremony, others will be limited to a single way in or out, and several blocks will be walk‑only for part of the morning. Residents on Carpenter Street and Gifford Court are told to reach their homes by vehicle via Federal Street, while Harrington Court will have no vehicle access from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
According to the same notice, residents at 135 through 170 Federal Street will be limited to foot access only, and those living at 170 through 194 Federal Street are asked to call Salem Police at (978) 744‑1212 if they need help getting vehicle access. The post also explains that residents at 331 and 333 Bridge Street should enter and exit via North Street or River Street, and that rear parking lots accessed from Bridge Street for 156 and 162 Federal will be unavailable during the morning closures, according to the Salem Police Department.
Why Salem Is Expecting A Large Turnout
Trooper Kevin Trainor, 30, died on May 6 when his cruiser was struck by a wrong‑way driver on Route 1 in Lynnfield, authorities said, with Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker leading the investigation, according to CBS Boston. Visiting hours are scheduled for Tuesday at Conway, Cahill‑Brodeur Funeral Home in Peabody, and the Funeral Mass at St. James Church is set for 11 a.m. on Wednesday, per Boston.com.
Plan Ahead
Salem Police officers will be positioned throughout the affected area to help residents, direct visitors and keep traffic moving where it can. Officials say all closed roads will reopen once the ceremonies conclude. If you live, work or have business downtown on Wednesday morning, build in extra travel time, follow detour signs and keep an eye on Salem Police social channels for real‑time updates from the City of Salem.
