Dangerous Salem Intersection Changed Up

SALEM, MA — The Brown Street/Washington Square intersection a pain in the neck for you? Police agree, and the traffic pattern has been "simplified," they say.

"We've seen far too many close calls with pedestrians this season and traffic back ups at the intersection of Brown Street and Washington Square," police wrote on Facebook Tuesday afternoon. Subscribe to Salem Patch for more local news and real-time alerts

The intersection near Salem Common will now work like this, according to police:

• Eastbound traffic on Brown Street approaching Salem Common should stay to the right of the Roger Conant Statue.
• Traffic turning from Washington Square onto Brown Street westbound should stay to the right of the statue on that side.

Meanwhile, crosswalks and other striping have been repainted to improve safety.