On Water Avenue, a paving crew works in the rain on Thursday evening, Sept. 3, 2026.
On a rainy bike ride along the Albany riverfront on Thursday evening, I encountered an unexpected sight: A paving crew at work.
They were putting a new layer of asphalt on the old Oregon Electric railroad track that runs down Water Avenue. The track is owned by BNSF and is operated by the Portland & Western Railroad.
This was on and near the Water Avenue intersection at Main Street. The guy I talked to said they were doing this for the railroad, if I understood him correctly.
I’m not sure why the railroad thought that section of tracks needed a pavement upgrade. If nothing else, it makes for a much smoother crossing, especially for old guys on bikes. (hh)
And here’s the new patch of asphalt around and between the rails on Water Avenue.
Thanks for the pictures and the story. “Nice” to see (I’m being facetious) that the railroad is helping keep CARA’s boondoggle (Oops! I mean “CARA’s Water Street area) spiffy for the Saturday Market crowd.