ODOT, Benton County outline options and concerns for Corvallis–Albany multiuse path; neighbors worry about safety and property impacts

ODOT and Benton County officials on Jan. 12 updated the Albany City Council on planning work for the Corvallis–Albany multiuse path, saying the team is narrowing possible alignments but has not chosen a preferred route.

James Feldman, who identified himself as the ODOT project manager, said the project’s goal is to "develop an all ages, all abilities walking, biking, rolling facility between Corvallis and Albany" and described a multi‑step screening process that will produce a short list of alignments for more detailed study. Laurel Beyer, Benton County’s county engineer, and Ryan Farncomb, a Parametrics consultant, presented technical constraints near the project’s east end, including steep slopes, floodplain areas near Independence Highway and the presence of a mainline railroad.

Those constraints have practical consequences for alignment choices, presenters said. Feldman told the council that acquiring railroad right of way "is not possible" in at least one option and that at‑grade highway crossings are likely infeasible because of traffic speed and volume; alternatives could include a structure to pass over or under the highway or rail. The team said a riverside alignment was ruled out for environmental and visibility reasons.

Outreach findings showed general support among respondents but consistent concerns about user safety, maintenance and unwanted uses. Feldman said the team used mailers, tabling at farmers markets, videos and an interactive online open house; he said a follow‑up mailer to corridor property owners went out the prior week. "Most folks who at least responded to our survey said they supported this project," Feldman said, while noting that respondents want clear next steps and transparency about how alignments were chosen.

Several councilors pressed the presenters on how safety concerns and driveway conflicts would be weighed. Ryan Farncomb explained that multiple driveways can create "conflict zones" where drivers pulling into or out of driveways may not see people walking or bicycling. Feldman and Farncomb said tradeoffs are unavoidable: some users prioritize visibility near the highway, others prefer separation from high‑speed vehicles.

When asked how many homeowners could be affected, staff said the answer depends on the alignment selected and that the team is trying to remain inside existing right‑of‑way where possible; presenters said they could not provide a precise number until alternatives were refined and promised clearer property‑impact numbers in the next project phase.

Funding and schedule: presenters said producing a solid planning and design package is the first step toward making the project more competitive for construction funding. Feldman said the city had applied for and received a grant from the Oregon Committee Paths program to continue planning work, and that the team will develop a phasing plan because it is unlikely the entire corridor will be built at once.

Next steps and public participation: the team plans to narrow alternatives through technical analysis and additional outreach this spring, then return a recommended alternative for further vetting. Feldman encouraged residents to use the project web page, sign up for updates and attend future decision‑making bodies, which he said will likely include the Benton County commissioners and the Albany Area MPO.

Public comment and neighborhood concerns: earlier in the meeting, resident Eric Glass told the council his property lies along one proposed alignment and said his family is "in direct opposition to the bike path," raising safety and privacy concerns and saying he would not sell or grant his land for the project. City and county presenters acknowledged those concerns and described design practices (visibility, fencing, lighting) and maintenance/enforcement discussions as part of the planning work.

No formal decisions or votes were taken during the work session. The project team said additional public outreach and technical analysis would precede any formal action by a decision body.