‘Rails with Trails’ project wasn’t hit by paring of projects list

A proposed multi-use path along the railroad line between North Albany and Corvallis is still on the list of projects under consideration for state funding.

The “Rails with Trails” project was one of three in the region to survive a paring of the list of statewide projects. Pat Fisher, director of the Transportation Enhancement program for the Oregon Department of Transportation, said ODOT staff this week cut the list to 32 projects, down from 64.

ODOT has $11 million to award in grants statewide for transportation enhancement projects.

Projects must deal with pedestrian and bicycle routes, historic preservation related to surface transportation, road landscaping and environmental mitigation.

Fisher didn’t know how much money was requested in the remaining 32 projects.

She said the previous list of 64 represented about $53 million in requests.

Benton County and the city of Corvallis have asked for $460,000 for the path, which would run along or near the rail line near Highway 20 between Albany and Corvallis. The county and Corvallis would kick in a $90,000 match.

The funds would be used to acquire access for the path and start designing it. There is no cost estimate for construction.

This is the second time the county has requested funding for this project.

ODOT turned down the request during the same funding program in 2004.

A bike lane/sidewalk project along 35th Street in Corvallis is also still on the list, as is a sidewalk project along Main Street and Highway 228 in Brownsville.

But a proposed path through Takena Landing Park in North Albany was dropped.

That path would have linked the Highway 20 intersections at North Albany Road and Spring Hill Drive. Albany had requested $360,000 for that project.

Fisher said an advisory committee will review the remaining projects and recommend in January which projects should be funded.

The Oregon Transportation Commission will make the final decisions.

The Benton County path has received a large amount of written support.

ODOT officials said earlier they have received more support for this project than most others.