The intersection of Calapooia Street and Seventh Avenue looked like this on Dec. 30, 2024.
It must be especially difficult to do street construction and underground utility work during our rainy winters while also keeping traffic moving.
In the last two or three weeks, driving on Washington and Calapooia streets in Albany has been a challenge for drivers. And for bike riders too.
Deep potholes developed in the gravel and asphalt patchwork in the trenches excavated to install new water lines and then temporarily filled. Gravel from the construction spread all over the streets.
Since October, Pacific Excavation, of Eugene, has been working to replace water lines on Washington and Calapooia streets north of Pacific Boulevard. Last May, the company was awarded a $3.5 million contract for the work.
The contract also calls for repaving Washington once the utility work is done. All the work has to be complete by Aug. 29, 2025.
I asked Albany Public Works about the project.
“The contractor is planning on finishing the water line work on Calapooia Street by the end of next week,” replied Andrew Monaco, the civil engineer overseeing the work. “The permanent asphalt trench patching on Washington Street and Calapooia Street are planned to be completed by the end of January. Temporary trench patching will continue to be maintained in the interim. Work on replacing sidewalks will also continue over the next month.”
What about the current condition of the streets, which remain open to traffic?
“Earlier today we asked the contractor to clean up all of the loose rock and potholes that are out there,” Monaco wrote.
As I said, wet winter weather has to make this job doubly difficult. Wish the contractor success in getting it done. (hh)
Postscript: By Friday afternoon, Jan. 3, big potholes on Washington Street had been filled with new gravel.
The replacement of water lines left big gaps in the sidewalk over the holidays, like this one on Calapooia Street neat Sixth Avenue.
I drive both Washington @ Calapooia 4X/week. Just slow down – and it’s not a problem. It is getting fixed – and that’s the key take-away here…
Ray, according to you, everyone elected to a city position and everyone who works for the city is a saint. No one is perfect, not you, not the city of Albany, not the city of Albany’s top brass or their workers.
Please stop admonishing all of those who comment on city matters.
I totally agree that none of us are perfect. However point me to one of my posts that has been false. At least I’m willing to use my real name…
Why was I so stupid as to reply to Ray K? Live and Learn…that’s a good perennial New Year’s resolution!
Why was I so stupid as to reply to Ray K? Live and learn….that’s a good perennial New Year’s resolution.
Hey Hasso, how do we know that this is actually Ray Kopczynski and not just someone who typed in his name? I’ve seen some pretty unprofessional comments beneath that name here before, not befitting a city councilor. Is there a government e-mail attached to him or what? Why would a city councilor have a problem with people using an anonymous name on a site that allows them? Sounds as if either they’re impersonating one of our civic leaders, or Ray Kopczynski doesn’t have a lot of respect for communicating with the public.
Because I do know commenters’ email addresses. Ray K, now a former council member, likes it better when people use their real names. I do too, because comments have more weight when they come from people who give their names. As for K’s comments, I’ve never seen an “unprofessional” one here, or heard one from him on the council.
I guess my eyes are imagining things, since I remember distinctly Ray K. proclaiming something akin to “bull pucky” many times in regard to someone else’s comments. And a comment is a comment, is a comment. They have no more or less weight depending on the signature. Come on, Hasso. You are digging your stubborn, Germanic heels into the ground (or carpet).
Ask the FBI, CIA, etc. their opinion on the wisdom behind being anonymous in today’s world.
Bull pucky? Sounds “professional” to me when the term fits.
Thank you…
By the same token, a good many of the regular posters on this site believe everyone in government is lazy/ignorant/corrupt, and everything government does is worthless.
Contractors and City doing the best they can, but I started driving my “off road” truck as opposed to my sportscar. Easier on my dentures too.
Mr. Hering, There are many ways to devalue people in a professional way such as avoidance and disregarding other peoples struggles when making decisions. The residents of Albany don’t want professional liars running our local government
“And we should give any credence whatsoever to folks who hide behind their anonymity? Laughable to be sure!” – Ray Kopczynski, Mr. Professional.
Hasso. Your true colors are showing. What a “snarky” remark to make to one of your followers…read that as “to me.” You are implying in no uncertain terms that you agree with Ray K. on everything. I think some of your blog readers, other than me, are taking note. Oh, I see a big shadow outside. Let me go check on it. It is a big shadow in the shape of Ray K.’s swelled head…and under it there are shadows of letters that say, “Hasso praises Ray K.”
This is for the team of Kopczynski and Hering: It dawned on me that a street closed to vehicles such as Bourbon Street in New Orleans is what Ray K. and his big fan, Hasso H., have in mind for Water Street in little ‘ol Albany, Oregon. Good luck with that! Tell me when to start lining up for coffee and biegnets?