On Monday the City of Albany notified the public that three railroad crossings were closed because the Union Pacific needed to make emergency repairs. On a bike ride Monday night, I learned what prompted the repairs.
Preserve historic rails, Landmarks panel says
Written August 10th, 2026 by Hasso Hering
If Fifth Avenue east of Lyon Street is ever going to be repaved, what happens to the 114-year-old railroad track under the crumbling asphalt? The Albany Landmarks Commission would like the track preserved.
Posted in: Bicycling, Commentary, News
Tags: Fifth Avenue, historic tracks, Oregon Electric Railway, railroad tracks
Tags: Fifth Avenue, historic tracks, Oregon Electric Railway, railroad tracks
Low water on the river, but not the lowest
Written August 8th, 2026 by Hasso Hering
The Willamette River has been running kind of low lately. This is not unusual at this time in the summer, but the flow seems to be less than I remember in recent years.
Plan to fix streets and start collecting a fee
Written August 7th, 2026 by Hasso Hering
After years of talking about potholes and crumbling pavement, the Albany City Council next week will consider a concrete proposal to start fixing many of the streets in the worst shape.
Return to Waverly Lake: It’s looking good
Written August 4th, 2026 by Hasso Hering
At the risk of too much repetition, let’s return to Albany’s Waverly Lake for a status report after the latest round of fighting an outbreak of aquatic growth.
Posted in: Bicycling, Commentary, News
Tags: Albany parks, Aquatic Harvesting, Azolla, Wavrly Lak, weed harvesting
Tags: Albany parks, Aquatic Harvesting, Azolla, Wavrly Lak, weed harvesting
Short trip for a short train
Written July 31st, 2026 by Hasso Hering
On a bike ride through Albany’s Willamette Neighborhood on Thursday evening, I got to the Pine Street crossing about the same time as a Portland & Western train.
Posted in: Bicycling, Commentary, News
Tags: frain, Pine Street crossing, PNWR, PNWR 3546, Portland & Western, railroad
Tags: frain, Pine Street crossing, PNWR, PNWR 3546, Portland & Western, railroad
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Church revises plan, shows bigger parking lot
Northside Christian Church has submitted a revised site plan with a bigger parking lot for its proposed campus on Powers Avenue in North Albany, outside the Albany city limits.