Wednesday evening at the east end, near Marion Street, of the current Queen Avenue reconstruction project.
As Albany drivers have noticed, part of Queen Avenue is partially closed for construction. This is the first phase of a two-phase project that has to be finished by Nov. 1.
North Santiam Paving, Stayton, has a city contract of more than $4 million to reconstruct or repave Queen from Marion Street to Pacific Boukevard (99E).
At present the contractor is working to replace water or storm water pipes between Marion and Ferry streets. The section is only partially blocked. Especially after hours, traffic can get through.
I asked CityEngineer Staci Belcastro about this project. Here’s her explanation:
“There are two phases to the road closure on Queen Avenue to align with the two methods used to repair the road, grind and asphalt inlay, and reconstruction. The first phase, currently underway, between Ferry Street and Marion Street, includes reconstruction of the road, improvements to sidewalk and ramps, and construction of water and storm pipes.
“The second phase includes the section of Queen Avenue between Highway 99E and Ferry Street. This pavement is in better condition, so a less expensive repair option, a 6-inch grind and asphalt inlay, can be used to rehabilitate the road. The second phase road closure will happen concurrently with the first phase to allow for striping to be completed along the entire project length.
“The ultimate completion date for the project is November 1, but we anticipate the road will be open before then.”
The council in May awarded a contract for another big street repair. Pacific Excavation, Eugene, will get about $3.5 million for fixing up 12½ blocks of Washington Street from First Avenue to Pacific Boulevard.
The Washington Street job calls for a paving overlay and related work. Belcastro says the replacement of water lines will probably start in November, and the paving will be done next spring.
Last summer, much of the west end of Queen Avenue was blocked for a $6.2 million reconstruction.
Albany spends what street money it gets on keeping up arterials and collectors, the routes getting the most traffic, and this has left no money to rebuild local streets in the older parts of town.
The current council wants to do something about that. The city staff will be working on an ordinance to add a street fee to water bills. If and when the council passes it, maybe in August, the staff will then get to work on a proposal specifying the amount of the new fee. (hh)
Of course, jack up our city utility bills to pay for street repairs!! That 21.5 million payout for ruining a nice green park…Monteith Park….would sure as hell have helped with street repairs. Yes, I know it was an urban renewal project and the money could not be used for anything else. We should never have had an urban renewal district in the first place, so don’t preach to me about how money can only be designated for certain things.
Folks! Here comes the snake!
Quoting HH:
The current council wants to do something about that. The city staff will be working on an ordinance to add a street fee to water bills. If and when the council passes it, maybe in August, the staff will then get to work on a proposal specifying the amount of the new fee.
In 2014 you wrote:
“The problem with street fees is twofold: They violate the spirit of the state constitution, and they are unfair. They circumvent the tax limitation of Measure 5, adopted in 1990. And they affect property owners in an inequitable way.”
https://hh-today.com/if-not-a-street-fee-what/
Not much has changed in ten years.
When is a “fee” actually a tax? When the city council says it isn’t. Screw integrity and fairness…
Big difference! A tax is FOREVER, a fee is FOREVER! The major difference that i see is that a TAX is deductible on your tax return. Either way we’re stuck
Complaining about the condition of the streets and then complaining about the cost of repairs? Maybe you should live outside the City Limits where you don’t have to pay anything and still use the streets.
Jeff. Yes, we know you live outside the city. Are you taunting those that don’t live outside the city limits or what? People can’t just decide to sell and move anymore. New homes are too expensive and mortgages are too high to deal with. If I were you, I wouldn’t advertise that I live outside the city limits but still use the city streets.
Why? What real repercussions exist outside someone who doesn’t matter getting their feelings worked up?
So, Kevin H., (and Hasso, for printing your slam towards me), you are saying I don’t matter. What kind of person are you? Are you the Lord Almighty?
I’m asking why because what are you going to do about it besides cry online. You or anyone else isn’t going to do anything, so taunt/advertise away folks. All bark no bite. Without teeth you dont matter. Bye
Why does is feel like every time the city decides they need money there a new fee (Tax) added to my water bill? Where does it end? I, for one am really frustrated over the process. It would be nice if those paying the bill had some say in the matter. All these (fees) should require a citizens vote because the council votes don’t seem to consider that these fees are highway robbery.
Coffee., just move to another State since you are so pissed of the World we.live in
City street repair people:
Is the reason you are always looking for money is like I have seen so too many times. At a road repair job you have one guy doing all of the manual labor 5 wanna be supervisers standing around looking down into this hole watching someone else do the work? The 5 guys on the street level are ALL highly over rated and over paid !!!!!
Y
We snowbirded to Florida for 10 years. They have one of the best road systems we’ve driven on (and we’ve been to every state!). Their funding comes from toll booths. I had no problem paying $1.25 each way to and from our destinations; those who traveled daily bought a monthly pass. I’m a true Oregonian and after living temporarily in other states, my eyes were opened to alternative funding sources for roads, schools, etc. Something’s got to give. It shouldn’t always be on the backs of homeowners but everyone who drives on our state’s roads contributes to the upkeep.