I’ve reported on this in the past and had noticed that it is still not properly timed. The light turns green while giving pedestrians the safe signal to walk. The signal by the Hawthorne Hotel and Bridge Street by Holden lock work beautifully. For some reason there has been great difficulty making this particular light(s) safe for pedestrian crossing.

Good morning Brian these lights are concurrent signals. They have been operating this way for months and there has not been any incidents. They are designed to move pedestrians and vehicles together so that we are not wasting time and fuel and contributing to the carbon foot print. We have pedestrian lead time built in so that the pedestrian can be at least half way across the street before a vehicle is allowed to move. There is also a leading green arrow coming from Orne street to help make it safer. Mass. Department of Transportation deems these signals to be safe and in Compliance.

City Electrician
John Giardi

Hi John,
I’m going to have to respectfully disagree with the MA Department of Transportation. Ironically, I find that there are some pedestrian crosswalks, at far less busy parts of Salem, that allow what is probably more time than necessary for crossing the street. I know some pedestrian crosswalks provide a countdown (is it from 20?) to go a shorter distance than crossing North Street. When a pedestrian pushes the button, and is given the go-ahead to cross, the natural assumption is that the lights are protecting the pedestrian from oncoming traffic. The expectation of the driver is that when given a green light, the pedestrian has been warned that it is no longer safe to cross. Naturally, both the pedestrian and driver should always be alert and on guard, but this set-up seems to provide a false sense of security, especially whereas I doubt many people are aware that the goal is to give a green light to a driver when a pedestrian may only have had time to make it halfway to the other side of the street.
Both my wife and I, who drive through that intersection frequently, have seen more than one close call between vehicles and pedestrians.
Sadly, we have had to discourage our son from crossing that intersection when alone. Regardless of the fact that there have been no accidents the reality is that this intersection is not as safe as it could be.
Although these lights are considered to be in compliance, whether we are talking about education or traffic signals, the goal should be to exceed, not simply meet, the lowest standard of compliance.
On behalf of everyone who uses the pedestrian lights at this intersection, I respectfully request that the City of Salem reconsider the timing of these lights so that pedestrians may cross from one side of North Street to the other before traffic is given a green light.
Thank you for your consideration!
Brian Carr