Salem Testing Fix For Notorious Traffic Bottleneck

SALEM, MA — Help may be on the way for anyone who has ever been stuck at the intersection of Norman, Chestnut and Summer streets and found themselves cursing the notorious local traffic trap. A contractor will install a temporary roundabout Sunday night, weather permitting, beginning at 8 p.m. If all goes according to plan, drivers will find the new configuration in place when they pass through on Monday morning.

In addition to congestion, the intersection has been the site of numerous accidents. The city will collect traffic data after the roundabout goes live. If it reduces backups and problems, it will become permanent. If not, the current configuration will be restored and city traffic officials will look for another fix.

"Hoping this pilot will work to address issues at this intersection that has been dangerous for motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists," Ward 2 City Councilor Christine Madore wrote in a Facebook post. "I especially like the shortened crosswalk distances and added pedestrian refuges between car lanes. These will go a long way to improve visibility of pedestrians."

Wondering what is the difference between a roundabout and rotary? Councilor Josh Turiel posted a link to a page explaining the difference on his Facebook page:

• In a roundabout, drivers yield when entering the roundabout, then enter the intersection and exit at their desired street.
• Rotaries, also known as traffic circles, are bigger than roundabouts. Drivers enter a traffic circle in a straight line and do not have to yield to traffic already in the circle.

"I'm glad that they're trying something here - it's been problematic all the years I've lived in Salem," Turiel said.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).