HASSO HERING

A perspective from Oregon’s mid-Willamette Valley

Bikeway extension on Queen now is complete

Written August 14th, 2022 by Hasso Hering

The bikeway is that-a-way. This new sign points west to where the Periwinkle Bikepath resumes.

Problems with the delivery of concrete mix evidently were resolved so that the extension of the Periwinkle Bikepath along Queen Avenue in Albany could be completed.

I noticed earlier in the week that the concrete paving of this 13-foot-wide multi-use pathway no longer had a big gap, and by Sunday afternoon much of the rest of the work was finished as well, prompting me to say:

About the only thing left to do, as far as I could see, was the installation of a new pole to hold the pedestrian crossing buttons and signals at the intersection of Queen Avenue and Geary Street.

So now people on bikes traveling south can turn left on the new path, ride to the intersection 300 feet away, and use the pedestrian signals to cross to where the path continues on the other side. (It continues to the southeast on its way to Grand Prairie Park.)

This was billed as a multi-use pathway under ODOT’s “safe routes to school” program. The extra-wide sidewalk is intended for both pedestrians and people on bikes or, presumably, electric boards or scooters.

With multiple types of users going vastly different speeds in mind, it wouldn’t hurt to paint a stripe down the middle of this two-way path. After all, it’s supposed to be a route that’s safe. (hh)


Posted in: Uncategorized



5 responses to “Bikeway extension on Queen now is complete”

  1. MarK says:

    Every time I watch one of your videos, I’m reminded of Huell Howser. He had a show called “California’s Gold”. All public interest stories about places in California and the history behind them. Much like you, just a great guy. Unfortunately he has passed.

    Keep up the great work!

  2. Bill Kapaun says:

    Before we had to cross both lanes of traffic.

    Now, we have to cross both lanes of traffic.

    They should have used Geary down to 12th and then head West and use the foot bridge behind Lowes to connect to the bike path.

    • Hasso Hering says:

      Sorry, but this makes no sense. The extension was intended to fix the problem where the bike path hits Queen in mid-block. Cyclists had the choice of crossing Queen without benefit of a signal, or riding against traffic or on the sidewalk to the intersection with Geary. Now they have a better alternative, and the path is wide enough to accommodate both bikes and people on foot.

      • Bill Kapaun says:

        People rode on the sidewalk before. This just gives them a bit more room and will probably attract electric scooters.

        The route I mentioned is already in place and would only have required minimal signage to appease the smugness of the bike commission.

 

 
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