New Rail Trail Could Potentially Cripple Traffic in Salem

Tuesday night I attended the Salem Planning Board hearing on the rail trail.  I am not against this in principle. But there is language and features of the proposal that give me pause. 

First of all, the plan shows part of it running along North Broadway across from Wal-Mart adjacent to Route 28. This would make any widening of Route 28 in the area much more difficult. Ross Moldoff stated that the master plan called for five lanes in that area. Currently there are two plus turning lanes. I would suggest that the rail trail plan be made to conform with other plans in town.

Secondly I was concerned that the proponents seem to have very little concern about interfering with traffic. Some days it is is quite busy on North Broadway. And South Broadway is in a condition that traffic engineers call a state of failure at times. Bob Campbell stated at a previous meeting and reiterated Tuesday that he wanted a lead pipe cinch guarantee that the rail trail would not degrade vehicle traffic. They ignored his request. Their silence was deafening. 

Thirdly, now I am wondering what else is in this that we do not fully appreciate. What are the costs to the taxpayers on a yearly basis? What are the upfront costs? Are we going to have to hire police for this? How would an ambulance reach the more secluded sections? Was there a deal under the table with residents of the east side of Old Rockingham Road that runs adjacent to the original rail bed to move the rail trail to the East along North Broadway? 

The hearing on the rail trail posed more questions than it answered. I hope a more transparent presentation is forthcoming before the town approves this.