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Salem Avenue Reconstruction
The City of Dayton is reconstructing Salem Avenue in four phases, from Riverview Avenue to Elsmere Avenue. The reconstruction is necessary to address deterioration of the existing roadway system. The project will transform one of Dayton's key corridors with new pavement, curbs, sidewalks, and ornamental street lighting.
Project Updates
- Update 11/2/2023: Paving and pavement markings have been completed on the Salem Avenue Phase 3 project (Manhattan Ave to Cornell Dr.). All lanes are currently open, although occasional lane closures may be necessary throughout the winter and next spring in order to complete additional work.
- Update 8/17/2023: On Friday, August 18, 2023 construction will change sides on Salem Avenue. Construction will take place on the west (inbound) side between Cornell Drive and North Avenue while traffic is maintained one lane in each direction on the newly constructed east (outbound) side. Motorists are encouraged to use an alternate route to their destination when possible. This project is expected to be completed by June 1, 2024.
- Update 5/30/2023: Salem Avenue Phase 2 (North to Riverview) is nearly complete with final pavement placed and all lanes open. There may be occasional disruptions/limited lane closures in the next few weeks to complete pavements markings, lighting, and signal work.
Salem Phase 3 (Manhattan to Cornell) has started. Traffic is reduced to one lane in each direction on the west (inbound) side of Salem while construction takes place on the east (outbound) side. This configuration is expected to last until August when traffic will be moved to the newly constructed pavement while the remaining pavement is removed and reconstructed.
- Update 12/2/2022: Intermediate paving has been completed on the Salem Avenue Phase 2 project (North Ave to Riverview Ave). All lanes are currently open, although occasional lane closures may be necessary throughout the winter in order to complete additional work. Final paving for the Salem Phase 2 project will take place in the spring of 2023, which may require lane closures at that time.
- Update 8/25/2022: On Friday, August 26, 2002 construction will change sides on Salem Avenue. Construction will take place on the west (inbound) side while traffic is maintained one lane in each direction on the newly constructed east (outbound) side. Motorists are encouraged to use an alternate route to their destination when possible. This project is expected to be completed by June 1, 2023.
- Update 5/13/2022: Final paving has been completed on the Salem Avenue Phase 1 project. Work on the Salem Avenue Phase 2 Reconstruction project will begin on Monday May 16th. This section is from West Riverview Avenue to North Avenue. Increased travel delays are expected as traffic will be reduced to a single lane in each direction of Salem Avenue. Construction will take place on the east (outbound) side while traffic is maintained one lane in each direction on the west (inbound) side. Motorists are encouraged to use an alternate route to their destination when possible. The entire project is expected to take approximately 18 months to complete.
- Update 12/10/2021: Intermediate paving has been completed on the Salem Avenue Phase 1 project (North Ave to Manhattan Ave). Currently, the curb lanes are closed in each direction. All lanes are expected to be open by Christmas, although occasional lane closures may be necessary throughout the winter in order to complete additional work. Final paving for the Salem Phase 1 project will take place in the spring of 2022, which may require lane closures at that time.
- Update 8/25/2021: On Monday, August 30, 2021 North Avenue at Salem Avenue will be restricted to one way traffic to allow for construction of this intersection. Vehicles will be able to travel westbound on North and turn onto Salem Avenue but will be prohibited from turning from Salem Avenue onto North Avenue. This closure is expected to last approximately two weeks. During this time, traffic will continue to be maintained on Salem Avenue as one lane in each direction.
- Update 5/1/2021: Salem Avenue reconstruction Phase 1 begins on May 17, 2021. Phase 1 will rebuild Salem between Manhattan Avenue and North Avenue. Traffic is limited to one lane in each direction on the west (inbound) side of Salem Avenue while construction takes place on the east (outbound) side. Bus stops on the east (outbound) side at North and Manhattan will be closed during the initial period of work. The expected completion date for Phase 1 is November 19, 2021. @(Model.BulletStyle == CivicPlus.Entities.Modules.Layout.Enums.BulletStyle.Decimal ? "ol" : "ul")>
Project Overview
Phase 1 will start in May 2021 and involve rebuilding Salem Avenue from North Avenue to Manhattan Avenue. The roadway cross section will remain largely as is with four through lanes and turn lanes at the signalized intersections with Harvard and North. New pavement, curb, sidewalk and ornamental street lighting will be installed. Concrete stamped crosswalks will also be installed at the intersections of Salem Avenue and North Avenue, and at Salem Avenue and Harvard Boulevard. Traffic will be maintained throughout the project with a minimum of one lane in each direction. Phase 1 is expected to be complete by the end of 2021.
Phase 2 will start in the spring of 2022 and involve rebuilding Salem Avenue from West Riverview Avenue to North Avenue. The roadway cross section will be five lanes (two lanes in each direction with a center turn lane) with a 10' cycle track. New pavement, curb, sidewalk and ornamental street lighting will be installed. Concrete stamped crosswalks will also be installed at the intersections of Salem Avenue and West Riverview, Salem Avenue and Superior Avenue, and at Salem Avenue and Grand Avenue. This phase is expected to take approximately 18 months.
Salem Avenue proposed cross-section, Grand to Riverview
Phase 3 will start in the spring of 2023 and involve rebuilding Salem Avenue from Manhattan Avenue to Cornell Drive. The roadway cross section will remain largely as is with 4 through lanes and turn lanes at the signalized intersections with Cornell/Delaware. New pavement, curb, sidewalk and ornamental street lighting will be installed. Concrete stamped crosswalks will also be installed at the intersection of Salem Avenue and Cornell Drive. This phase is expected to be complete by the end of 2023.
Phase 4 will start in the spring of 2026 and involve rebuilding Salem Avenue from Cornell Drive to Elsmere Avenue. The roadway cross section will remain largely as is with four through lanes and turn lanes at the signalized intersections with Wabash Avenue and Elsmere/Emerson. New pavement, curb, sidewalk and ornamental street lighting will be installed. Concrete stamped crosswalks will also be installed at the intersections of Salem Avenue and Wabash Avenue and Salem Avenue and Elsmere Avenue. This phase is expected to be complete by the end of 2027.
Project Q&A
Why is this project needed?
These improvements are needed because the pavement on Salem Avenue is deteriorated and failing, as it was originally constructed over 100 years ago. The cycle track is being added in order to make the street consistent with the City of Dayton’s Complete Streets policy and Federal Highway Administration Guidance that projects should, where possible, seek to accommodate all facility users (including motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians).
How is this project funded?
These projects will be funded using a combination of Federal STP and CMAQ funds, Ohio Public Works Commission funds, and City of Dayton general capital funds.
Who proposed this project and who is responsible for oversight?
The City of Dayton applied for and received federal transportation funds through the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission. ODOT, as steward of the federal funds, will provide oversight of the project.
How will the project affect parks within the corridor?
There is a City-owned small pocket park at 424 Salem Ave. The project will require approximately .02 acres of permanent right of way and .02 acres of temporary right of way from this park. The project's involvement with this park is considered a "de minimis" impact. There is also the City-owned Jane Reece Park west of the intersection of West Riverview Avenue and Salem Avenue. The project will have no involvement with this park.
What will be done with the area currently occupied by the dual right turn lanes from Riverview Avenue to Salem Avenue?
The dual right turn lanes from Riverview Avenue to Salem Avenue will be removed and turned into a landscaped area.
Will pedestrian facilities be improved?
These projects will install new sidewalks on both sides of the street with a minimum width of 6.5' if at back of curb or 5' with a treelawn. New raised concrete pedestrian islands will be installed at Federal Street and Plymouth Avenue intersections for improved pedestrian safety. Curb ramps will be updated as needed for ADA-compliance.
How will the project affect bus access?
Greater Dayton RTA bus routes along Salem Avenue will remain in service during construction, although temporary stop closures and relocations may be necessary for safety reasons.
What is a cycle track and why doesn't it extend through the whole corridor? Why a cycle track instead of bike lanes?
A cycle track is a two-way separated lane for bikes only. The roadway narrows north of North Avenue and does not allow enough width to include the cycle track without removing through traffic lanes. Grand Avenue was a logical stopping point to allow cyclists to travel on Grand to the bike lanes on Broadway. A separated cycle track is preferred as opposed to bike lanes due to the high traffic volumes and speeds on Salem Ave.
What type of amenities will be offered with this project?
Decorative street lights, similar in look to those on South Main Street and Brown Street, will be installed with this project. Decorative crosswalks are being considered at each signalized intersection as the project budget allows.
How will traffic be maintained during construction?
Traffic will be maintained with at least one lane in each direction open on Salem Avenue. Cross streets may be closed. Detours will be posted for all closures. Pedestrian access will be maintained on at least on side of the street at all times.
Will right-of-way acquisition be required?
Minor temporary right-of-way will be needed along much of the corridor, to provide for construction access. Minor permanent right-of-way will be needed for sidewalk. Affected property owners will be contacted at a later date to discuss the right-of-way needs, the acquisition process, and property owner rights under the process.
Will any historic properties be affected?
An evaluation of the corridor for historic resources, and the project's effect on any identified historic properties, will be undertaken as part of the environmental review of the corridor. The project will require limited temporary and permanent right-of-way from within the boundary of Steele's Hill-Grafton Historic District. None of the properties along the corridor have been previously identified as individually eligible for the National Register of Historic Places.
What about parking?
On street parking will be eliminated or restricted to off-peak hours on the east side of Salem from Grand Avenue to North Avenue. Protected parking lanes with bumpouts will be added to the east side of Salem Avenue from Grand Avenue to Plymouth Avenue.
Why didn't this project happen sooner?
Many factors go into developing a schedule for construction of a federal aid project of this size. In addition to providing time for data collection, project design, and quality control review, the schedule must also provide for public involvement, environmental review, environmental permitting, right of way negotiations, and utility relocations.
Why can't these moneys be used elsewhere or on more urgently needed improvement?
The money from the federal government for this project is specifically allocated to pay for the sections of Salem Avenue being reconstructed.
Will the project be ADA compliant?
Yes. All pedestrian facilities within the corridor will be evaluated and upgraded as needed for ADA compliance.
Will property access/driveway configurations be affected?
Unused/inactive driveways will be removed as part of this project. Active driveways will be reinstalled in their current locations.
How will utilities be impacted by this project? When will utility relocations occur?
Currently, impacts to utilities are expected to be limited to the publicly owned street lighting and storm sewer within the corridor. Replacement of the lighting and resetting of catch basins will occur during the project construction. If private utilities are found to require relocation, these relocations will be preformed by the individual utility owners and may take place several months prior to the actual project start.
How will the roadway cross section change?
The roadway cross section will not change from Manhattan Avenue to Grand Avenue. South of Grand Avenue, the roadway cross section will include a two-way cycle track with two through lanes in each direction and a center turn lane. A parking lane will be included on the east side of Salem Avenue from Grand Avenue to Plymouth Avenue. The existing sixth lane that develops south of Federal Street to Riverview Avenue will be removed.
Review Public Meeting Information Presentation for additional details.
For any questions regarding this project please contact: