Whether it’s a right turn or a left turn depends on which direction the trains are going. But it will be a few more weeks before they use a new Albany track to turn either right or left. That’s the word from Kevin R. Haugh, the general manager of the Portland & Western Railroad.
The deadline for finishing this Albany railroad project has been missed, but there’s been a lot of progress lately, including the partial installation of some actual track. The Portland & Western Railroad has been building what’s called the Santiam Lead, a section of track that parallels the Union Pacific mainline for about three city blocks.
Passersby can see that work has resumed on the so-called Santiam Lead, a stretch of new railroad track parallel to the Union Pacific Mainline in Albany. High time, too. Under an agreement between the Portland & Western Railroad and ODOT-Rail, the project is supposed to be completed by Dec. 31.
You won’t be surprised to learn that under federal guidance, Oregon continues to plod along slowly in trying to find the best way to enhance passenger rail transportation up and down the Willamette Valley. The effort began 2011 with federal grants and the hiring of consultants to conduct an environmental assessment of various routes that […]
To save the trains, buy a ticket
The Cascades passenger trains that stop in Albany four times a day have been rescued for now with a funding package that cleared the legislature on Thursday. But only an increase in the number of paying passengers can save them for good.
Tags: Cascades trains, HB 5040, ODOT-Rail, passenger rail