City of Salem – 09/10/22 10:00 AM
Salem is renaming Salem Parkway (also known as State Highway 72) in honor of the civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The Oregon Department of Transportation will be changing 11 signs from Salem Parkway to the abbreviated Dr. MLK Jr Pkwy in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. beginning Friday, September 9.
Salem Parkway was chosen to receive the new name due to its importance in the community and its visibility as a main arterial connection throughout the city. Renaming this roadway recognizes Salem’s diverse population and memorializes Dr. King’s legacy of peace, diversity, and inclusion for all Americans.
“I hope the future generations who travel in Salem will be reminded every day of the example set by Dr. King through his leadership and his legacy that brought more equality and peace to our nation,” says Mayor Chuck Bennett. “By naming the main arterial after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Salem will have a tangible, permanent reminder of the historical figure that championed equality for all.”
The City of Salem is proud to celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by naming a street in his honor. The Salem City Council unanimously directed staff to change the name on July 11, 2022, after receiving strong support from members of the public.
