ODOT Van Buren 1st street crosswalk/access closure

[Rachel Schwindt]

FYI, the Van Buren crosswalk and vehicles access to/from NW 1st street is closed to all users for several months for ADA upgrades. For those of us who regularly cycle to Kinetic Bagel from NW Tyler Ave we may have to suffer a bit and use NW 2nd to NW Jackson, or just travel to Monroe Ave. But be sure to keep supporting Kinetic Bagel!

Pedestrian Access map

ODOT Van Buren Project webpage

[Wendy Byrne]

Thank you Rachel, for sharing this relevant news... that was my primary method of accessing downtown (east on Tyler then south on 1st) to reach Kinetic Bagel! And yes, we need to remember to show Kinetic Bagel our support! The best bagels in Oregon for sure. 

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[Rachel Schwindt]

Forgot to add that the closure starts Monday January 27!

[Jay Thatcher]

I made some writing suggestions to ODoT. 

If you got the email from the Department of Transportation about the next step in the Van Buren Bridge construction, perhaps you noticed how little it said to people who would navigate 1st and Van Buren on bike, skate board or foot.  I called them on it, via Jenna Berman, the regional Active Transportation Liaison.  The agency responded promptly and pretty well.  To see the correspondence, scroll way down here. 

The city's Active Transportation workers sent a note out today to their mailing list.  It's about bicycle and pedestrian changes that will come at this intersection. 

Jenna prompted a call to me from an ODoT subcontractor who works on Bicycle and Pedestrian facilities.  From them, I learned that:

• The recent dry weather has allowed unexpected progress in the construction. 
  
• The closure is happening on short notice, so less care was taken with the notice than we can expect from ODoT.
  
• Before opening the new bridge (one lane at a time), the intersection at 1st Street must be closed while it's being reconstructed. 
  
• The subcontractor has considerable concern for the Farmers' Market, the affected businesses and public service agency.  Let's follow their lead by buying bread, bagels and breakfasts. 
  
• The bike facilities will be enhanced when the whole project is finished. 
  

I hope they can reopen the access to 1st Street for the spring season of the Market.

I remain wary of state DoT's.  Currently our region's staff is surprising me.  Let's keep them aware of the need to serve and inform all citizens.  When they do it right, let's appreciate it. 

Some partial good news from a government.  For a refreshing change. 

Jay T.

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From: "jth...@peak.org" <jth...@peak.org>
To: "BERMAN Jenna" <Jenna....@odot.oregon.gov>
Sent: Wednesday, January 22, 2025 8:34:25 AM
Subject: Re: Starting 1/27: no turns onto NW 1st Street from NW Van Buren Avenue

Thank you.  That will be quite helpful.

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From: "BERMAN Jenna" <Jenna....@odot.oregon.gov>
To: "Jay T." <jth...@peak.org>
Sent: Wednesday, January 22, 2025 7:48:02 AM
Subject: RE: Starting 1/27: no turns onto NW 1st Street from NW Van Buren Avenue

I can pass your feedback along. Thanks!

 

Jenna Berman

ODOT Region 2, Active Transportation Liaison....

Ped/Bike Resources: https://www.oregonwalkbike.org/

 

From: Jay Thatcher <jth...@peak.org>
Sent: Tuesday, January 21, 2025 7:51 PM
To: BERMAN Jenna <Jenna....@odot.oregon.gov>
Subject: Re: Starting 1/27: no turns onto NW 1st Street from NW Van Buren Avenue

 

....Jenna

The words in this advisory apply to automobiles.  There is nothing in the language about people walking or biking. 

The map has more complete information.  It's still unclear to me whether the crosswalk at NW 1st will continue to be open. 

It would be nice for the writers of these advisories to provide information for all road users, instead of writing only about autos and assuming that's the full story. 

If there's someone I should speak or write to directly, please let me know.  

Thanks!

Jay T.

On 1/21/2025 5:18 PM, Oregon Department of Transportation wrote:

Starting Monday, Jan. 27: No car access onto NW 1st Street from NW Van Buren Avenue in Corvallis

We're starting to rebuild the road, sidewalks and ADA curb ramps on NW Van Buren Avenue. Plan ahead, starting Monday, Jan. 27 you will not be able to turn onto NW 1st Street from NW Van Buren Avenue.

Starting, Jan. 27, you can expect:

• No right or left turns onto NW 1st Street from NW Van Buren Avenue.
• No access to NW Van Buren Avenue from NW 1st Street.

All businesses in the area remain open – you can access businesses on the southern portion of NW 1st Street using NW Jackson Avenue. Please use caution, follow the signs and plan for potential delays.

We plan to reopen access to the southern portion of NW 1st Street from NW Van Buren Avenue in April 2025.

.... 

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Jay Thatcher

465 SE Bridgeway
Corvallis, OR 97333
(541) 758-9333 home number for voice messages or to actually talk to either of us

Make plans now for the Corvallis Ride of Silence. Wednesday May 21, 2025

 

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