Alternate Fuels on Highway 20: The Benton County Board of Commissioners are partnering with the City of Albany to discuss potential funding for alternate fuel infrastructure, especially along Highway 20. At a joint meeting on Tuesday the Board of Commissioners and Albay City Council will get a presentation on the possible funding from Chris Bailey with the City of Albany.
It is unclear how this new proposal going before the Board of Commissioners from the City of Albany will work with the current construction on the highway.
As You May Already Know: The State of Oregon has been working to improve the commute between Albany and Corvallis on the stretch of Hwy 20 with construction anticipated to be completed by the end of this year.
This project will be completed in two phases.
Work on Phases 1 and 2 continues. Use extra caution and slowdown in the work zone.
Phase 1
- North of Independence Highway to south of Garland Nursery the speed limit is 45 m.p.h.
- Crews working Sunday through Thursday nights, 7 p.m. – 6 a.m.
Phase 2
- Conifer Boulevard to Merloy Avenue the speed limit is 40 m.p.h.
- They’re working on the west side of the highway, between NE Asbahr Avenue and Conifer Boulevard. After, they’ll start widening to the east side from Conifer Boulevard to Merloy Avenue.
North Albany Crime Increase: North Albany is one of Benton County’s quieter enclaves, rarely finding itself in the news. Unfortunately, crime rates are up in Albany, generally, and the folks living in North Albany are also impacted.
So, the aforementioned meeting will also see officials from the City of Albany addressing some ongoing safety concerns around North Albany with the Board of Commissioners.
The City of Albany has been working with community members for the past year and a half on bolstering its community watch efforts.
In a previous Facebook post the Albany Police Department posted “We hate to be a downer but crime rates are up in Albany. Neighborhood Watch groups are the cornerstone of crime prevention and reminds people to close the opportunity gap for people to commit crimes.”
This meeting is scheduled from 3:30 to 5:30 pm on Tuesday, June 27, at Albany City Hall, 333 Broadalbin Street SW.
Canceled Meeting: The Corvallis City Council has cancelled its July 3 council meeting ahead of the 4th of July holiday. At this time, they have not rescheduled it, but still have a council work session on the calendar for July 6 at 4 pm.
By Jennifer Warner
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