Friday, July 12, 2013
City of Salem Prepares to Establish a Railroad Quiet Zone
CITY OF SALEM PREPARES TO ESTABLISH A RAILROAD QUIET ZONE
News Release from City of Salem
Posted on FlashAlert: July 10th, 2013 3:16 PM
TRAIN
HORNS GO QUIET JULY 23, 2013, BUT FOR SHORTER DISTANCE THAN ORIGINALLY PROPOSED
If you live or work along the Union Pacific Railroad line between Mill Street SE and Market Street NE, you will notice the absence of train horns beginning July 23, 2013. The establishment of the much anticipated Railroad Quiet Zone has been approved by the Federal Railroad Administration. The Quiet Zone extends 1.1 miles and includes the following crossings:
* Mill Street SE
* State Street
* Court Street NE
* Chemeketa Street NE
* Center Street NE
* Marion Street NE
* D Street NE
* Market Street NE
In a Railroad Quiet Zone, trains are prohibited from routinely sounding their horns as they approach each at-grade road crossing. An exception is if the train engineer determines that there is an imminent danger on or near the tracks, in which case the horn may be sounded. In addition, there may be times when the train may sound its horn, for example during switching operations. However, the vast majority of trains will travel quietly through the Quiet Zone.
The City and Union Pacific Railroad completed safety improvements at the Quiet Zone crossings, as well as the crossings at Madison Street NE and Sunnyview Road NE. These improvements included installation of approach medians, sidewalk improvements, converting Chemeketa Street NE to a one-way street, and additional signs and flashing signals at the crossings. The improvements cost $2.6 million and were funded through the Streets and Bridges Bond Measure, approved by the voters in 2008.
The length of the Quiet Zone was shortened by two crossings than was originally proposed. The Quiet Zone, as originally proposed by the City of Salem, extended between Mill Street SE and Sunnyview Road NE. On July 3, 2013, an interpretation of the rules governing the spacing between crossings in a Quiet Zone, was issued by the Federal Railroad Administration at the request of the Union Pacific Railroad. The result of the rule interpretation was that the crossings at Madison Street NE and Sunnyview Road NE will need to be removed from the Quiet Zone, but that the remaining eight crossings still qualify for establishment on July 23, 2013. The loss of the crossings at Madison Street NE and Sunnyview Road NE is due to a conflict with Federal rules that have been interpreted to require a minimum of a quarter-mile spacing from the last crossing in a Quiet Zone to the next at-grade road crossing outside of the Quiet Zone. The crossing at Woodrow Street NE is only a tenth o f a mile north of Sunnyview Road NE and the crossing at Madison Street NE is two-tenths of a mile south of Sunnyview Road NE. This requires the end of the Quiet Zone to be moved south to Market Street NE.
The Salem City Council is considering using project savings from the Streets and Bridges Bond Measure to extend the new Quiet Zone to the north of Market Street NE to Hyacinth Street NE and/or to the south to Madrona Avenue SE. A decision will be made later in 2013.
In the meantime, City staff and its contractor are making final preparations to the Quiet Zone crossings by installing signs and adjusting the length of a few of the approach medians. Staff wishes to remind the public that even though train horns will not sound within the Quiet Zone, warning lights, bells, and gates will still operate at all crossings. Nevertheless, it is important that bicyclists and pedestrians exercise awareness and caution when approaching crossings in the Quiet Zone and remember to LOOK BOTH WAYS when crossing the tracks.
Contact Info:If you live or work along the Union Pacific Railroad line between Mill Street SE and Market Street NE, you will notice the absence of train horns beginning July 23, 2013. The establishment of the much anticipated Railroad Quiet Zone has been approved by the Federal Railroad Administration. The Quiet Zone extends 1.1 miles and includes the following crossings:
* Mill Street SE
* State Street
* Court Street NE
* Chemeketa Street NE
* Center Street NE
* Marion Street NE
* D Street NE
* Market Street NE
In a Railroad Quiet Zone, trains are prohibited from routinely sounding their horns as they approach each at-grade road crossing. An exception is if the train engineer determines that there is an imminent danger on or near the tracks, in which case the horn may be sounded. In addition, there may be times when the train may sound its horn, for example during switching operations. However, the vast majority of trains will travel quietly through the Quiet Zone.
The City and Union Pacific Railroad completed safety improvements at the Quiet Zone crossings, as well as the crossings at Madison Street NE and Sunnyview Road NE. These improvements included installation of approach medians, sidewalk improvements, converting Chemeketa Street NE to a one-way street, and additional signs and flashing signals at the crossings. The improvements cost $2.6 million and were funded through the Streets and Bridges Bond Measure, approved by the voters in 2008.
The length of the Quiet Zone was shortened by two crossings than was originally proposed. The Quiet Zone, as originally proposed by the City of Salem, extended between Mill Street SE and Sunnyview Road NE. On July 3, 2013, an interpretation of the rules governing the spacing between crossings in a Quiet Zone, was issued by the Federal Railroad Administration at the request of the Union Pacific Railroad. The result of the rule interpretation was that the crossings at Madison Street NE and Sunnyview Road NE will need to be removed from the Quiet Zone, but that the remaining eight crossings still qualify for establishment on July 23, 2013. The loss of the crossings at Madison Street NE and Sunnyview Road NE is due to a conflict with Federal rules that have been interpreted to require a minimum of a quarter-mile spacing from the last crossing in a Quiet Zone to the next at-grade road crossing outside of the Quiet Zone. The crossing at Woodrow Street NE is only a tenth o f a mile north of Sunnyview Road NE and the crossing at Madison Street NE is two-tenths of a mile south of Sunnyview Road NE. This requires the end of the Quiet Zone to be moved south to Market Street NE.
The Salem City Council is considering using project savings from the Streets and Bridges Bond Measure to extend the new Quiet Zone to the north of Market Street NE to Hyacinth Street NE and/or to the south to Madrona Avenue SE. A decision will be made later in 2013.
In the meantime, City staff and its contractor are making final preparations to the Quiet Zone crossings by installing signs and adjusting the length of a few of the approach medians. Staff wishes to remind the public that even though train horns will not sound within the Quiet Zone, warning lights, bells, and gates will still operate at all crossings. Nevertheless, it is important that bicyclists and pedestrians exercise awareness and caution when approaching crossings in the Quiet Zone and remember to LOOK BOTH WAYS when crossing the tracks.
Tony C. Martin, P.E., Assistant City Traffic Engineer
City of Salem Public Works Department
503-588-6211,tmartin@cityofsalem.net
Mark Becktel, AICP, Parks and Transportation Services Manager
City of Salem Public Works Department
503-588-6211, mbecktel@cityofsalem.net
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Sustainability Networking Meeting
Calling
Salem Area Climate Change Activists:
Sustainability Networking Meeting
June 27 at Willamette University, 7
p.m.
Salem’s First Congregational Church
recently completed a project called Mission
4/1 Earth aimed at addressing
climate change issues. During this time, we
involved our members in climate
change mitigation efforts, sponsored several
adult education programs, focused on
climate change in a series of six consecutive
sermons, organized a visit to Zena
Farm in West Salem, and culminated with a
major workshop by climate change
expert Bob Doppelt from The Resource
Innovation Group in Eugene.
Now it is time for Mission 4/1 Earth
to move beyond its introductory phase and take its place among
others addressing climate
change. To this end, we would like to help strengthen the networking
between ourselves and other climate
change mitigation efforts. That is why we are inviting you to
meet with us and representatives of
other climate change approaches at 7 pm on Thursday, June
27, at the Willamette University
School of Education, 240 Cottage St. SE. Please invite others who
are interested in making a
difference on climate change to join us.
If you are able to join us, please
let us know by contacting Peter Bergel at pbergel@igc.org or 503-371-8002.
If you are not able to attend this meeting, but
are interested in what we are doing, likewise let Peter know.
Friday, June 14, 2013
Customer Services for Utility Bills
Customer Services Utility staff is
available by calling 503-588-6099, to assist
customers with questions regarding utility bills, water consumption and
leak adjustments, payment extensions, and social service agency
referrals.
If staff are unable to resolve a
difficult issue, the customer's call is escalated to supervisory and
management staff to further research, provide assistance, and attempt
to resolve the problem or concern.
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Historic Window Preservation Workshop at Salem’s Historic First United Methodist Church
Historic Window Preservation
Workshop at Salem’s Historic First United Methodist Church
On
Saturday June 29th Salem FUMC, in conjunction with the City of Salem
and Oregon State Historic Preservation Office, will be hosting a window
preservation workshop. Workshop
participants will learn how to remove a window sash, restring pulleys, repair
window glazing, and other simple repairs.
Participants are encouraged to bring basic tools such as putty knives,
painter tools, utility knives, etc. Supplies and materials needed for the
workshop will either be donated or purchased with grant funds. The workshop will be led by Chris Gustafson
of Vintage Window Restoration in Albany. Chris is a graduate of the Historic
Preservation & Restoration program at the Clatsop Community College in
Astoria. This free workshop is being
presented by the Salem Historic Landmarks Commission through a Certified Local
Government (CLG) grant from the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office. If
you are interested in attending for all or part of the workshop, please contact
Nancy Brik at Salem FUMC at 503.364.6709 or nancyb@wvi.com.
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Four Community Tree Awards for Volunteers and City of Salem
News Release from: City of Salem
Posted: April 9th, 2013 2:10 PM
April is Arbor Month in Oregon and Salem is celebrating!
Recently, resident Linda Peterson, the Southeast Salem Neighborhood Association (SESNA), and the City of Salem each received awards for community forestry activities. Salem's own "tree lady," Linda Peterson, received an award from Oregon Community Trees for her tree advocacy through the years, including serving on several tree committees.
SESNA received national recognition from Alliance for Community Trees for its neighborhood tree planting efforts and the development of a tree information booklet.
The City of Salem also received two awards from the Arbor Day Foundation: its 37th Tree City USA award and its 7th Growth Award. These awards recognize the City's ongoing and improved community forestry management and planning, including a recently drafted Community Forestry Strategic Plan.
The Tree City USA awards will be celebrated at an April 20, 2013, tree planting at Grant Elementary School. City Council will present the awards to Linda Peterson and SESNA at the April 22, 2013, Council meeting.
Posted: April 9th, 2013 2:10 PM
April is Arbor Month in Oregon and Salem is celebrating!
Recently, resident Linda Peterson, the Southeast Salem Neighborhood Association (SESNA), and the City of Salem each received awards for community forestry activities. Salem's own "tree lady," Linda Peterson, received an award from Oregon Community Trees for her tree advocacy through the years, including serving on several tree committees.
SESNA received national recognition from Alliance for Community Trees for its neighborhood tree planting efforts and the development of a tree information booklet.
The City of Salem also received two awards from the Arbor Day Foundation: its 37th Tree City USA award and its 7th Growth Award. These awards recognize the City's ongoing and improved community forestry management and planning, including a recently drafted Community Forestry Strategic Plan.
The Tree City USA awards will be celebrated at an April 20, 2013, tree planting at Grant Elementary School. City Council will present the awards to Linda Peterson and SESNA at the April 22, 2013, Council meeting.
Friday, March 8, 2013
Spring Chick Women's Conference
Spring Chick Women’s Conference to be held at Center 50+
Center 50+ will host their annual Spring Chick Women’s Conference on Saturday, April 13, 2013. Health, Fitness, Fashion, Beauty, Vegetarian Cooking, Financial, Travel, Lifelong Learning, Personal Safety, and more are all topics for this year’s conference.
The keynote address “A Woman’s Worth” will be given by LaRee Johnson, author of Ladies’ Vintage Accessories. This program explores the usage over the past 150 years of handbags, purses and pocketbooks as women’s needs have changed, from smelling salts to cell phones. Featuring a display of authentic examples from Victorian to modern times from the personal collection of LaRee Johnson.
A variety of workshops will be available for attendees to select from. A few of the workshops include Bievenue! Learn, Practice & Play in Your New Language…Today (using Rosetta Stone), You Can Be Normal Again…Whatever Normal Is by Jan Balzer, Life Coach and Author of “Hiding My Bruises While Singing In The Choir”, Beautiful You From the Inside Out by Bonnie Milletto, Author of “Dedicated to the Cup, 9 Ways to Reinvent a Life!, Vegan Adventures with Tofu by David Gabbe, Author of David’s Vegan Home Cooking, Preserving Your Precious Photos, Heirlooms, and Treasures by Cindy Culpovich, Professional Organizer, and many more…
Entertainment will be provided by Divisi, Uof O’s premiere women’s A Capella group.
Conference includes breakfast, snacks, keynote address, workshops, entertainment, door prizes and more.
This conference is sponsored by Friends of the Salem Senior Center, and Brazier, Hinz & Associates and Grocery Outlet.
For more information, call 503-588-6303.
Spring Chick Women’s Conference
“Springtime In Paris”
Saturday, April 13, 2013
8:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Center 50+
2615 Portland Rd NE, Salem, OR
Cost – $10
Purchase tickets in advance at Center 50+-Limited number of tickets available.
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