Project Background
The Salvation Army Kroc Corps Community Center of Salem, OR (Kroc Center) opened in 2009 and immediately became an important recreational and community asset, not only for residents of Salem and Keizer but the also greater Willamette Valley. Its location on Bill Frey Drive loop makes it accessible by automobile or public transit, and sidewalks and bike lanes are provided along Bill Frey Drive which connect to Portland Road NE.
However, bicycle and pedestrian access to the Kroc from Keizer and north Salem is hindered by its location relative to the Burlington Northern railroad tracks and Salem Parkway (see map below). The Kroc Center is located less than 1500 feet from the Salem Parkway multi-use path. To get to the Kroc Center today by bike or walking from Salem Parkway requires either:
Not long after the Kroc Center opened, local elected officials and transportation staff began to discuss options for providing better bicycle and pedestrian access to the Kroc Center. In 2010, the Salem Keizer Area Transportation Study (SKATS) - the metropolitan planning organization for the Salem-Keizer area - approved funding for a feasibility study to examine alternative pathways (bridges, underpasses, at-grade paths) and develop a recommended project. The feasibility study began in early 2012, with the consultant team (CH2M and OBEC Engineering) providing their expertise in the planning, design and engineering of pedestrian and bicycle transportation projects.
However, bicycle and pedestrian access to the Kroc from Keizer and north Salem is hindered by its location relative to the Burlington Northern railroad tracks and Salem Parkway (see map below). The Kroc Center is located less than 1500 feet from the Salem Parkway multi-use path. To get to the Kroc Center today by bike or walking from Salem Parkway requires either:
- crossing Salem Parkway at Hyacinth Street, taking Hyacinth to Portland Road, then Portland Road to Bill Frey Drive (total distance = 1.7 miles) or
- crossing Salem Parkway at Cherry Avenue, turning on Salem Industrial Drive (which has no bike path, scarce sidewalks, and industrial traffic) until you reach the Kroc Center (total distance = 1.1 miles)
Not long after the Kroc Center opened, local elected officials and transportation staff began to discuss options for providing better bicycle and pedestrian access to the Kroc Center. In 2010, the Salem Keizer Area Transportation Study (SKATS) - the metropolitan planning organization for the Salem-Keizer area - approved funding for a feasibility study to examine alternative pathways (bridges, underpasses, at-grade paths) and develop a recommended project. The feasibility study began in early 2012, with the consultant team (CH2M and OBEC Engineering) providing their expertise in the planning, design and engineering of pedestrian and bicycle transportation projects.