365 NE Greenwood - Progress

I happened to pass 365 NE Greenwood on my run last night. For the first time in a year or two, I could use the entire sidewalk without being scrapped by the overhanging shrubs.

The funny thing is, I never even got around to emailing the city, or anyone about this one. Maybe it was just a coincidence that it got fixed right after I posted about it.

I'll try to get some photos of the improvements and put them up.

365 NE Greenwood - Overgrown Vegetation

Problems with the sidewalks are not always limited to the concrete. When the vegetation along the sidewalk becomes overgrown, this can be a bigger problem than cracked concrete.

The photos below were taken on April 24. Since we are now 3 further along in the growing season, this situation is much worse.

Photo 1 - The shrubs just beyond the telephone pole are the problem. Note that the first shrub isn't even living anymore, but it still overhangs about half of the sidewalk.




Photo 2 - Looking West. Notice how much the sidewalk is obstructed by these shrubs.




Photo 3 - A closer view looking east.

Photo 4 - Another view looking east.



Additionally, there is a pretty good trip hazard on the concrete, at the eastern edge of the driveway. It is visible in the foreground of the Photo 1.

I'm going to forward a link to this posting to a few people at the City and see if they enforce the codes on this property owner.

661 NE Greenwood - Repaired!

I should have done this a long time ago. I have been pretty busy and haven't had much time to keep this blog going.

Right around the end of May, the sidewalk at 661 NE Greenwood was repaired. Thanks to the owners of this business for getting the job done. The new sections of sidewalk look good, and are much safer for everyone.

Stormwater

Probably the greatest shortcoming in Bend's infrastructure is the lack of adequate stormwater handling. This photo was taken on the evening of July 21 at the intersection of NE 3rd St and Greenwood Avenue. Also, these were taken several hours after the rain stopped falling.

As you can see, the puddle is rather deep. The astonishing thing is that it is right on top of a storm drain. The problem is that these drains are really just dry wells. When the dry well is full of water, or cinders from last winter, the water has nowhere to go, so it just backs up.

Officially, less than 0.1" of rainfall was recorded at the Bend Airport. Of course, since the airport is east of town, it is possible that there was more rainfall in town. It is no wonder the underpasses flood several times every year.

Woman struck by train at NE Bend rail crossing

Here is the text of a brief article listed on KTVZ.com

A 25-year-old Bend woman was struck and injured by a train early Saturday at a northeast Bend railroad crossing, police said.

Bend police and fire medics responded around 12:50 a.m. to the report of someone struck by a train at the Northeast Olney Avenue railroad crossing, said Sgt. Tom Pine.

The woman was taken to St. Charles Medical Center-Bend by ambulance for treatment of her injuries, Pine said, adding that her identity and other information were not being released at this time.

I don't like to speculate about incidents like this. But I am willing to bet that the horrible condition of the sidewalk at this crossing did not help her cross the tracks safely.

It will be interesting to see if the media actually covers this story, or if this is the only mention of it.

Dark Tunnel (Could Someone Please Turn on the Lights), Franklin Ave Underpass

If you have ever walked between downtown and 3rd Street on Franklin Ave, you have passed through the Franklin Street pedestrian underpass.

During the day, this is not the greatest walk in the world. The underpass is loud, dirty, and often displaying graffiti. And the sidewalk usually is littered with something, trash, partially eaten meals, broken glass, or tattered clothing or blankets.

Now, walk through there at night, and it is even worse. There are lights in the underpass, but they just don't work. I have never seen all of the lights turned on in either of the tunnels. At the time of this photograph, each tunnel had only 1 of 4 bulbs working.

In these dark conditions, it is hard to find your way if there is anything laying on the sidewalk. Additionally, bicycles often use the tunnels, and without lights, the likelihood of a bicycle-pedestrian collision is pretty good. And if the lights were functioning, it might actually help to prevent the ever-present graffiti.

Olney Ave, Railroad Crossing

Last night, on my run, I headed down Olney Ave to get to the Portland Ave Bridge. I have crossed these tracks many times before, and every time, I am amazed by the awful condition of this crossing. I won't even call it a sidewalk, because one doesn't really exist. As you approach the tracks, the concrete just ends. There are some discontinuous pieces of asphalt paving in the section of the tracks, but it would be a huge stretch to call it a sidewalk.


I'll try to get some photos of the crossing. I'll see what the city has to say about this crossing. I am guessing that they will say it is responsibility of BNSF, who owns the tracks.