Salem Announces Road Closures For Halloween

SALEM, MA - From the City of Salem: The City of Salem has announced the planned road closures, temporary no parking areas, and other traffic related changes and impacts anticipated for Wednesday, October 31, including Halloween road closures throughout the downtown. Halloween events will include multiple no parking tow zones, road closures, and heavy traffic delays for the entire day and night. Expect major traffic delays on Route 114 and Route 1A. Visitors are encouraged to use the MBTA commuter rail to come to Salem on October 31.

Road Closures

Downtown streets will close to all traffic no later than 4pm. 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 Washington Square 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. Although the Salem Police make every effort to keep roads open they will close any roads necessary to maintain public safety without notice. Officers will be posted in key intersections at peak times to assist with traffic when possible.

No Parking Zones

The following areas will be posted No Parking Tow Zones beginning at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 31:

1. Lafayette Street both sides from Harbor Street to Front Street.
2. Public parking lot along Front Street. Public parking spaces located on Central St in front of old police station. Meter spaces Central/Front/Charter.
3. Essex Street from Barton Sq. to Union Street. Both sides.
4. Derby St both sides between Union Street and Lafayette St.
5. Hawthorne Blvd both sides.
6. Front Street. Central Street.
7. Washington Street from New Derby to Bridge Street both sides.
8. Washington Sq. South and West both sides.
9. Norman Street from Washington Street to Crombie Street.
10. New Derby Street between Klop Alley and Lafayette Street.
11. Margin Street and Gedney Street along the post office. Taxi standing only.
12. Federal Street both sides between Washington Street and the District Court.
13. Congress Street both sides from Derby Street to Pickering Way.

Parking will be prohibited along Washington Square North starting at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday.

Fireworks Traffic Control

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 9:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. for the closing fireworks. Inbound traffic from Beverly will be diverted back to Bridge Street and back to Beverly. Incoming south bound traffic from Bridge Street will be diverted to Sgt. James Ayube Memorial Drive and back to Beverly. Incoming Bridge Street northbound traffic will be detoured up the westerly ramps to North Street.

MBTA Garage

Access into the MBTA Parking Garage will be restricted as of 6:00 p.m. on Halloween night and exiting traffic will be restricted as of 7:00 p.m. These restrictions will remain until midnight.

Leaving Salem Halloween Night – Best Routes

1. From downtown leave using Lafayette Street southbound, Canal Street southbound to Route 1A south to Lynn, Swampscott and points south.
2. From downtown leave using Margin Street, Mill Street, or Washington Street to Jefferson Avenue, Willson Street, or Jackson Street to Route 107 south or north.
3. Jackson Street to Essex Street to Boston Street into Peabody and Route 128 north or south.

Do not to leave Salem using Norman Street/Route 114 west to Summer Street and North Street. Heavy traffic delays are expected on these roads to Route 114 and Route 128.

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.

Downtown Resident Parking

Residents who live downtown will be able to park in the YMCA/Sewall St. parking lot on October 31. A driver’s license or proof of downtown residency will be required to access this lot between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Image via City of Salem