The railroad crossing for vehicles at the foot of Broadalbin Street, on Thursday afternoon.
For someone in a wheelchair, trying to cross the railroad track on Water Avenue to reach the Dave Clark Path is an arduous adventure if it’s possible at all.
Making the rail crossings comply with ADA, the federal law intended to help people with disabilities, is one of the goals of improvements to be constructed as part of Albany’s Waterfront Project.
Acting as the Albany Revitalization Agency (ARA), the city council on Wednesday approved a contract under which the city will pay the Portland & Western Railroad an estimated $2.4 million to improve some crossings and close others. The final cost won’t be known until the railroad hires a contractor, which is expected next month.
Appearing before the ARA Wednesday night, City Engineer Staci Belcastro said the work will include about 700 feet of new track, concrete panels, and ballast (the rock placed under and around the ties).
The project has been cleared by ODOT-Rail, and no additional automatic crossing arms will be required or installed. Automatic crossing protection is already provided at Jackson and Hill Streets.
According to a project map pepared by the city staff, three existing crossings for vehicles and pedestrians will be improved: at Washington Street (the entrance to Bowman park), at Broadalbin Street, and at Thurston Street (the entrance to Deluxe Brewing).
Two existing crossings, at Calapoooia and Ferry streets, are to be “modified” for emergency access. It’s not clear what that means, and the council didn’t ask.
Two new pedestrian and bike crossings will be built, one under the Lyon Street Bridge and another at Montgomery Street.
And three existing crossings for pedestrians or people on bikes will be abandoned and closed. One is in mid-block between Ferry and Broadalbin, another under the Ellsworth Bridge, and the third at Baker Street.
Council members asked no questions about individual crossings, or why two are to be closed as new ones are built nearby. (hh)
Mid-block between Ferry and Broadalbin streets, this overgrown path across the track is to be closed.
The Portland & Western Railway must be in ecstasy right now.
“Two existing crossings, at Calapoooia and Ferry streets, are to be “modified” for emergency access. It’s not clear what that means, and the council didn’t ask.”
“Council members asked no questions about individual crossings, or why two are to be closed as new ones are built nearby.”
seems like two important questions were shunted aside? wonder why????