HASSO HERING

A perspective from Oregon’s mid-Willamette Valley

Why signals remain wrapped

Written April 14th, 2013 by
These signals on Pacific Boulevard were still dark on April 13.

These signals on Pacific Boulevard were still dark on April 13.

If you’re wondering why the extension of Oak Street to Pacific Boulevard in Albany remains blocked months after being finished, you’re not alone. Members of the city council wonder the same thing, and they ask about it just about every time they meet.

According to Public Works Director Mark Shepard and City Councilman Bill Coburn, the answer boils down to a snag connected to the new traffic signals on Oak Street, at Ninth Avenue and on Pacific a short block away. After the signals were finished last fall, the Oregon Department of Transportation determined they needed something else before they could be turned on. Just what these parts are has not been mentioned. The contractor that installed the lights does not believe the extra parts are necessary but ordered them anyway — from a manufacturer in Canada. This was weeks ago. The parts apparently were shipped but, as of last Wednesday when Coburn last spoke about this, had not turned up and could not be found.

The city has pressed ODOT for an OK to unwrap the signals and turn them on, but as of last week had not gotten an answer. Meanwhile, council members say an occasional motorist is confused by the signals and will slow or stop, expecting them to work.

The Oak Street project and lights, totaling some $4 million, was deemed necessary so Lowe’s could build a big store at Ninth and Oak. Lowe’s has told the city it still wants to build, but I’ve seen no activity on the site. (hh)

Tom Cordier responded on April 14:  I don’t care about the lights not working. Why can’t the new and improved streets be fully used. Everything is blocked off or restricted. Who determined the lights were required now. There is no Lowes yet–maybe never; so what’s the need for the lights to control nonexistent traffic? Common sense is missing again.


Posted in: Uncategorized



Comments are closed.

 

 
HH Today: A perspective from Oregon’s mid-Willamette Valley
Albany Albany City Council Albany council Albany downtown Albany Fire Department Albany housing Albany parks Albany Planning Commission Albany police Albany Post Office Albany Public Works Albany riverfront Albany schools Albany Station Albany streets Albany traffic Albany urban renewal apartments ARA Benton County bicycling bike lanes Bowman Park Bryant Park Calapooia River CARA climate change COVID-19 Cox Creek Cox Creek path Crocker Lane cumberland church cycling Dave Clark Path DEQ downtown Albany Edgewater Village Highway 20 homeless housing Interstate 5 land use Linn County Millersburg Monteith Riverpark North Albany ODOT Oregon coast Oregon legislature Pacific Power Portland & Western Queen Avenue Republic Services Riverside Drive Santiam Canal Scott Lepman Talking Water Gardens The Banks Tom Cordier Union Pacific urban renewal Water Avenue Waterfront Project Waverly Lake Willamette River


Copyright 2022. All Rights Reserved. Hasso Hering.
Website Serviced by Santiam Communications
Hasso Hering