Utility work was going on Sunday night on Seventh Avenue along Riverside Cemetery and Albany General Hospital, seen on the left.
After dark on Sunday night seems an unusual time for a utility contractor to be working. But that was the case on Seventh Avenue between Takena and Elm streets.
I happened on the scene on my way somewhere else and didn’t find out just why the crew was hard at work at that unusual time. I assumed the reason may be that the contractor, Wind Rose Excavation, is in a hurry to complete the work.
Actually, City Engineer Staci Belcastro said Tuesday, the work requires the intermittent closure of driveways, and the contract0r worked at night to minimize the impact on businesses along the street.
“They will be back to working days tomorrow,” she added.
Wind Rose, of Junction City, last year won an $815,753 city of Albany contract to replace water lines on Seventh Avenue, Walnut Street and two or three other blocks of nearby streets. The company’s bid was the lowest of six.
The contract says: “This project includes construction of approximately 900 linear feet of 12-inch HDPE water line, approximately 2,400 linear feet of 6-inch HDPE water line, abandonment of approximately 5,300 linear-feet of existing water line, and related appurtenances.”
I had to look that up. Google AI explained:
“An HDPE (high-density polyethylene) water line is a flexible, durable, and corrosion-resistant plastic pipe used to transport potable water, sewage, and slurry, commonly replacing aging metal or concrete infrastructure. Known for its long lifespan, leak-free fused joints, and chemical resistance, it is ideal for underground municipal water mains and residential service lines.”
The project replaces 5,300 feet of water lines with 3,300 feet. Sounds like a neat trick. Care to clear that up, Public Works?
Part of the work under the city contract, on Sixth Avenue near Albany General Hospital, was completed last year. The contract calls for all of it to be completed by June 5, 2026.
Wind Rose notified nearby houses that its work on Seventh might take until March 1.
But if they’re working nights, maybe they’ll be done before then. (hh)
The story has been edited to include the explanation for the nighttime work.
I woke up at 10:30pm thinking someone was idling a truck at high rpm on our street. Went outside and found construction lamps and vehicles working a block and a half away. Drove over there and it was so loud one of the workers had to come right up to my window to hear my question. His coworker was sucking rocks out of a hole in the street with a vactor truck. Talked to the city public works on-call employee who was no help at all. Funny how any of us taxpayers are not allowed to run loud equipment between 10:00pm and 6:00am. Can’t imagine the city engineers would allow this all night in their own neighborhood.
The contract says 5,300 feet is to be “abandoned,” not replaced. Not that I know what that means, exactly, but I think there’s the solution to your trick.
If this outfit works that fast, think you could get them to finish up the Corvallis bridge? LOL!