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City of Salem Directs ARPA Funds to Transportation Needs

Funds targeted to support alternative transportation programs
Posted on: June 27, 2022 - 9:49am
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Mayor Kimberley Driscoll today announced that as part of the City of Salem’s first round of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding allocations, close to $1.3 million in federal funds are being directed toward supporting alternative transportation measures to help reduce traffic congestion, make roadways safer, and lessen the community’s carbon footprint.

“Salem has long been on the forefront of pioneering and piloting new ways to reduce the number of private passenger vehicles on our roads,” said Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll. “From our public ferry to our comprehensive bike infrastructure, and from our innovative on-demand shuttle to our extensive bike and car share programs, our goal is to make it easy for residents and visitors alike to get around Salem car free or car light. By leveraging these federal recovery funds for these efforts, we’re able to move even closer to that goal. I remain especially grateful to Congressman Moulton, Senator Warren, and Senator Markey, for their support for the federal funds that made these investments possible.”

  • $400,000 will be utilized to continue the popular Salem Skipper on-demand public shuttle, which has provided nearly 70,000 rides since it launched in December 2020. These funds are being matched by an allocation from the City’s Transportation Enhancement Fund to further support the Skipper’s operation for the coming fiscal year.

“Via is thrilled to continue our partnership with the City of Salem to power the Salem Skipper, extending our shared vision to improve access to equitable, efficient public transportation for all riders,” said Dillon Twombly, Chief Revenue Officer at Via. “The Skipper’s continuation will allow Salem to remain a leader in 21st-century mobility, and we look forward to serving more of the community than ever before with our technology.”

  • $363,787 will fund the expansion of the Bluebikes bikeshare program in Salem, allowing the City to add seven new stations to the network and an additional 44 bikes, This will make the system the City’s largest bikeshare program ever. These funds are matched by contributions to the program from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts.

“As the title sponsor of the Bluebikes system, Blue Cross is committed to expanding bike share access to additional neighborhoods in Salem so more residents can experience the physical and mental health benefits of biking,” said Jeff Bellows, vice president of corporate citizenship and public affairs at Blue Cross. “We’re proud to collaborate with city leaders to grow the system after last year’s successful Bluebikes launch.”

  • $93,000 is being directed to the conceptual design phase for the proposed South Salem Commuter Rail station. These funds will serve as a match to leverage an additional $372,000 in federal funding for this project, bringing the total funding commitment to $465,000.

“The Salem Partnership is pleased to partner with the City of Salem, Salem State University, and Mass General Brigham Salem Hospital on the South Salem Commuter Rail Stop Project,” said Beth Debski, Executive Director of the Salem Partnership, which is helping lead the project effort. “By offering additional public transit alternatives and connecting that resource with adjacent housing and the community’s two largest employers (Salem State University and Mass General Brigham -Salem Hospital), we can help make a critical change to advance a more sustainable city, in conjunction with significant and ancillary housing and economic benefits.”

  • $50,000 will be spent to implement elements of bicycling infrastructure projects as called for in the City’s Bicycle Master Plan.

“I am excited these new investments in our bicycling infrastructure will support another way for Salem residents, students, workforce, and visitors to travel through the city,” said Salem Bicycling Advisory Committee Chair John Wathne. “It expands Salem’s path network and promotes another means for patrons to reach local shops and restaurants without being constrained by auto congestion and limited parking.”

About ARPA in Salem

ARPA offers cities and towns critical resources to respond to and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and the negative economic affects that came with it. Salem has taken a thoughtful approach to utilizing this funding and have worked intentionally with stakeholders to identify approaches that will best aid our community’s response and recovery efforts. Salem able to respond strategically to deviations in the pandemic’s course, to ensure an equitable recovery, and to make transformative, positive change in the many areas of concern that impact the lives and livelihoods of Salem residents. The City has already announced major allocations of ARPA funds toward critical City capital needs (www.salemma.gov/mayors-office/news/city-salem-directs-arpa-funds-capital-needs) and business and worker recovery measures (www.salemma.gov/mayors-office/news/city-salem-directs-arpa-funds-business-and-workforce-recovery). Additional announcements about other major focus areas for the first phase of the City’s ARPA expenditures will continue to be made over the coming weeks. Find out more about ARPA in Salem at www.salemma.gov/recovery.