When a section of Queen Avenue was reopened this week after being torn up for utility work and then repaved, somebody complained in a comment here that the railroad crossing was still as bumpy as always.
On one of my bike routes through old Albany’s east end, men were working Saturday at the Davidson Street grade crossing on the Water Avenue rail line.
It’s rare that the Burkhart Street bike and pedestrian railroad crossing in Albany is blocked by a stationary train, but on Wednesday afternoon it was.
On bike rides around Albany I usually avoid Queen Avenue because of the rail crossing south of the Albany yard. On Thursday afternoon I did go that way and witnessed motorists practicing amazing patience while the crossing was blocked for what seemed like a very long time.
If you’re in Albany, go down to the riverfront and take a look at the work going on at a brisk pace along the Water Avenue railroad track.
I had heard about an interesting artifact in railroad history at the Albany yard of the Portland & Western. Looking for it Saturday, I found it on a track near where Ferry Street runs into the east side of the yard.
Behold this new RR crossing: Nice job!
On this election day in 2024, everybody is going to be interested in how it went and won’t be looking here. So let me report on something slightly less significant.
Tags: Burkhart Street, Portland & Western, railroad, Willamette neighborhood