Bicycling & Shared Path Advisory Committee

Meeting Minutes Salem Bicycling Advisory Committee Wednesday, April 7, 2021 | 6:30 p.m. Remote Meeting Members Present: Eric Papetti (Chair), Michael Williamson, Connor Ryan, Jayne O’Leary, Alex Maranto, Josh Gillis Members Absent: Michael Jaros, Kylie Sullivan, Colleen Downie, John Wathne, Matt Caruso Also Present: Tom Devine, Senior Planner Call Meeting to Order Papetti calls the meeting to order. Devine describes the remote meeting format and procedure for providing public comment. Public Comment Papetti opens to the meeting to public comment and there are none at that time. Staff Update Papetti expresses enthusiasm for the BlueBikes program coming to Salem and members discuss details of the system. Devine provides the following updates: • North Street: The City and Toole Design group are reviewing input received from the Bike Committee, Traffic & Parking Commission, and general public, to inform the final design. There is a National Grid gas main project that may affect the implementation schedule. And parking ordinance will need to be amended for some areas of North Street. Therefore the implementation schedule is to be determined. There is no additional public forum planned, but there will probably be an informational meeting prior to installation. • Salvo (Canal Street) Multiuse Path: AECOM reports they are heading to a soft opening of some portions of the path this summer. The disposal of contaminated material has delayed work. • Lafayette Street/Derby Street development: The North Shore Community Development Coalition is proposing to redevelop this bank building and its separate parking lot next to Peabody Street Park. Permitting for the project is complex due to its waterfront location. A pedestrian or bike connection is planned between Lafayette Street and the South River harborwalk. It will likely go to the Planning Board for a Planned Unit Development Special Permit. The Salem 1  Redevelopment Authority’s review is in progress. Plans are available through the Planning Board and Redevelopment Authority webpages. Williamson notes that he has observed visible progress on the Bridge Street reconstruction project (Flint St. to Boston St.). Devine says there has been significant utility work involving rerouting a drain line. Sidewalk work may be completed this season, but some elements will continue into next season. Washington/Canal/Mill Streets Bike Connections Document reviewed: CITY OF SALEM PAVEMENT MARKING & SIGNAGE IMPROVEMENTS, SALEM SALVO PATH TRANSITION DESIGN, Toole Design Group, 1/15/2021. The Committee reviewed the revised plans and made the following comments. • The Committee remains interested in seeing a well-designed 2-stage bike box as an alternative for this intersection. • The Committee would suggest that a two-way bike path, separated with a strong vertical element such as jersey barriers, be considered for the western side of Washington Street, while keeping the one-way bike lane on the eastern side. • Consider dropping a lane on Mill Street now, before traffic returns to pre- pandemic levels when it would be harder to make such a change. This will gain space for a better connection to the Salvo Path. • Consider aligning Mill Street’s bike crossing with the bike path’s ramp. • The Committee advocates for the quick implementation of this project and would like to see a schedule for this. • The Committee is concerned that it may be difficult for cyclists to see pedestrians on the segment of sidewalk that is planned to be shared as cyclists cross Mill Street and turn onto the sidewalk. • The Committee laments the lack of consideration for bikes in an intersection that was recently reconstructed and advocates for more than the limited proposed improvements. Discussion of Bike Friendly City Application Devine had spoken with Carl Kooyoomjian from the Beverly Bike Committee. He was involved in Beverly’s Bike Friendly application and provided insight into the process and its benefits. Overall, a community can seek a particular designation, such as gold or silver. But the process of applying is more valuable than the designation, since the organization gives very specific feedback on how to become a more friendly community for cycling. Meeting Minutes 2 Ryan motions and Williamson seconds to approve the December 2, 2020 minutes and all vote in favor. Adjourn O’Leary motions and Williamson seconds to adjourn at 7:36 p.m. and all vote in favor. Approved by the Bicycling Advisory Committee on July 7, 2021. 3