Salem Prepares for New Water Line into West Salem

Salem residents will soon see City crews and contractors on both banks of the Willamette River preparing for a new water line that will be able provide water for all of West Salem even following a major earthquake.

We have partnered with the Oregon Department of Transportation to replace an existing water line attached to the Center Street Bridge during that department's upcoming seismic retrofit project. That project will prepare the bridge to better withstand earthquakes. The new water line is being funded by City utility rate funds.

This new 36-inch water line will provide a seismically resilient crossing of the Willamette River.

To prepare for the new line, crews will need to install valves and connection points on our existing 24-inch water lines on either side of the river near the bridge. This will be done in two phases:

• June 1-5: Water line construction in Wallace Marine Park (under Center Street Bridge near the riverbank)
• June 8-26: Water line construction along Front Street NE (in median under the Center Street Bridge)
  
  • This work will be done at night (between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m.) to minimize traffic impacts
    

Currently, three lines supply drinking water from the Geren Island Water Treatment Facility near Stayton to West Salem. None of these water lines were designed to survive a large earthquake. However, the new water line on the retrofitted Center Street Bridge will be designed to survive a major earthquake and will be large enough to serve all of West Salem.

There should be no traffic impact for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians from the work in West Salem. Overnight construction near Front Street NE will have some traffic impacts between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. Pedestrians and motorists should use caution, expect some delays and follow traffic control signs. Work will require traffic control, including shifting travel lanes and rerouting pedestrians and cyclists around the work area.

For additional information, please contact the City of Salem at 503-588-6211 or [email protected].