Driving in and around Salem during October can be crazy just on its own. Add road closures to that and it can get even nuttier. The city of Salem has released a list of planned road closures for this month, so be sure to pay attention and plan accordingly. Per the city’s website:
“Note that while there are currently road closures planned downtown for Thursday, October 31, starting no later than 4:00 p.m., there is a high likelihood that some closures will be made on Saturday and/or Sunday October 19 & 20 and Friday, October 25 through Sunday, October 27, as well. Any closures or changes will be announced and posted at www.salem.com and www.salempd.org.
October 2019: Planned Road Closures and Parking Restrictions
October 3
Grand Opening Parade: The Haunted Happenings Parade starts at 6:30pm at Shetland Office Park on Congress St. The parade route is as follows: From Congress Street at Shetland Park, the parade will take a left onto Derby Street, a right onto Central Street, a left onto Front St., a right onto Washington Street, a right onto the Essex Street Pedestrian Mall, a left onto Washington Square and into the Salem Common.
Anticipate traffic delays on Rte 114 and Rte 1A. Rte 1A from Derby St to Brown St will be closed to traffic from 6pm to 9pm. Other road closures are Congress St, Washington St, Essex St from Washington St to Union St, Central St, Front St, and Washington Sq W, N, and S. There will be no parking tow zones along the entire parade route.
No Parking – Tow Zone Areas
A parking ban will be in effect on 10/3/19 on the following streets between 5 pm and 9 pm. Any vehicle parked in these areas will be towed.
Congress Street both sides from Derby Street to Harbor Street.
Essex Street from Washington Street to Hawthorne Blvd.
Central Street both sides from Charter Street to Derby Street.
Derby Street both sides from Congress Street to Lafayette Street.
Front Street both sides from Washington Street to Lafayette Street.
Washington Square both sides from Essex Street to Brown Street.
Parking meter spaces at the intersection of Charter Street, Front Street, and Central Street.
Washington Street between Essex Street and Front Street, metered spaces.
Road Closures
The following roads will be closed on 10/3/19 from 6 pm until approximately 9:30 pm.
Congress Street will be closed from Harbor Street to Derby Street.
Derby Street will be closed from Congress Street to Central Street.
Commuters will not be able to use Route 1A between Dodge St. and Brown Street which includes Derby Street, Hawthorne Boulevard and Washington Square at the Common entrance.
Front Street and Washington Street between New Derby Street and Church Street.
Essex Street will be closed at Washington Street.
Garage Access
Vehicles parked in the South Harbor Garage will not be able to exit until approximately 9:00pm. The Museum Place Garage entrance will only be accessible from Church Street or St. Peter St. Vehicles exiting the Museum Place Garage will only be able to take a left onto to Brown Street and a right onto St. Peter St.
October 5 & 6, 12 & 13, 19 & 20, and 26 & 27: Essex St from Hawthorne Blvd to New Liberty St and Essex St from Barton Square to Washington St will be closed to through traffic and no on-street parking will be allowed from 6am to 10pm every Saturday and Sunday. Access to Museum Place garage will be via Brown St only.
October 13
MDA Witch Ride Motorcycle Ride. Route 114 and Route 1A will be impacted, but not closed to traffic, from Marblehead to New Derby Street. Route 1A, including Derby Street, will be closed to traffic between Lafayette Street and Congress Street. Congress Street will also be closed to traffic. Anticipate road closures and traffic impacts from noon to 3 pm. There will be a no parking tow zone on Derby Street between Lafayette Street and Congress Street from 11 am to 3 pm.
October 19
Salem YMCA Witch City 5K road race starts at 9 am at the Salem Willows. No road closures are planned, however anticipate traffic impacts along the following roadways: Memorial Drive, Essex Street, Route 1A, Route 114 including Hawthorne Boulevard, Derby Street, and Fort Avenue, ending at Restaurant Row.
October 26
Devil’s Chase road race starts at 8 am at the Salem Willows soccer field on Fort Avenue. No road closures are planned, however expect traffic impacts until 10:30 am along the route. Route: Restaurant Row (Tennis Courts) to Memorial Drive to Szetela Lane to right to Walking Path before Webb Street. Webb to left Andrews crossing Washington Square into the common exiting at Forrester Street. Washington Square East right to Essex Street, left onto Little Hawthorne Blvd. Left on Derby Street to Fort Ave to Winter Island Road. Winter Island back to Columbus Sq. turning right to Columbus Ave right onto Bay View, a left onto Beach Ave and left on to Sutton, Right onto Bay View Ave, Right onto Willows Access Road. Follow walking path around the backside of the Willows by the yacht club. Exit back on to Restaurant Row. Follow straight up Memorial Drive, Bare Right at Szetela Lane to stay on Memorial Drive, left onto Fort Ave, Left onto Memorial Drive by Soccer Field to finish.
October 31
Halloween events will include multiple road closures and heavy traffic impacts for the entire day and night. Visitors are strongly encouraged to take the commuter rail or ferry to get to Salem. Expect major traffic impacts on Route 114 and Route 1A. Downtown streets will close to all traffic no later than 4pm and likely earlier. Road closures include: Essex Street at Crombie Street and Barton Square to Union Street, Washington Street from New Derby Street to Bridge Street, Federal Street from St. Peter’s Street to North Street, Washington Square North and West from Essex Street to Brown Street, Hawthorne Boulevard, Derby Street, Route 1A, Congress Street near Pickering Wharf, Charter Street, Central Street, Front Street, and Lafayette Street from New Derby Street to Front Street. Bridge Street at Sgt. James Ayube Memorial Drive will also close to all traffic between the westerly overpass ramps and Sgt. James Ayube Memorial Drive from 9:30pm to 11:30pm for the closing fireworks.
All information above is subject to change. The Salem Police Department will close any street at any time if they determine that a public safety issue exists.
Please note: the MBTA Garage will be closed from 8:00 p.m. until 1:00 a.m. on Halloween night. Cars will not be permitted to enter or exit between these hours.”
I hope this information helps. Be safe everyone and enjoy!! <3
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