A city proposal would extend the Periwinkle Bikepath east along Queen Avenue from here to the signals on Geary Street, in the background.
Albany’s Periwinkle Bikepath has had an awkward dead end on Queen Avenue since it was built in 1977. The city now has floated the idea of extending the path east along Queen to the intersection with Geary Street.
The extension is one of two projects for which the city is applying to ODOT under the “Safe Routes to School” program for 2020. The other, bigger one would add sidewalks to the stretch of Geary Street from Grand Prairie Road south to 34th, a distance of four long blocks.
On Aug. 10 the city council agreed to apply for grant funds for both projects and said the Geary sidewalks should get priority if ODOT wants to fund only one.
Both projects include some pedestrian flashing beacons. Both also are in the vicinity of schools where a high percentage of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunches. This means the grants, if approved, would cover 80 percent of the costs.
The sidewalks on Geary would require buying land on both sides of the street and would cost an estimated $1.6 million. Extending the Periwinkle path along Queen, in the space now taken by the sidewalk and bike lane, would cost an estimated $296,000.
The local match would come from a fund containing development fees the city charges on new construction.
Bicyclists going south on the Periwinkle path would welcome the extension because it would make it easier to reach the Queen-Geary intersection, where they can use the signal to continue on the path toward Grand Prairie Park. (No more riding the wrong way on the sidewalk or trying to cross five lanes of traffic in mid-block.)
The Geary Street sidewalks would be more useful to more people, especially students on their way to and from school. So if ODOT approves only one of these grant applications, this should be the one. (hh)
FINALLY! 1.6 million seems like nothing compared.to the continuous up grades to other parts of the city. Albany needed this 30 yrs ago and still needs it today.
Although I ride a bicycle, I think it’s simply too much money to extend the path.
It only makes 1/2 block difference, so what if cyclists ride 1/2 block the wrong way on the sidewalk?
I already use the sidewalk when heading S. on Geary to make my right turn on Queen.
When there’s a strong wind from the South, I’d have so many cars behind me honking while I’m slogging along @ 5-6 MPH for a block in the right turn lane IF I were to ride it “legally”.
I yield to pedestrians, even stopping if necessary. It’s just a matter of using a bit of common sense.
In “my day” it was nothing to walk to school (alone) in the Laurelhurst district (Portland) (like a 1/4 mile). Past the Joan of Ark statue at one of Portland’s 1st “round-a-bouts”. For these times, one day will come & ya can’t pamper & care for those little critters any longer or else they will come back & live in your basement!