Albany considers negotiating with railroad company on closing of Seventh Avenue rail crossing

ALBANY – City of Albany officials are pondering whether exploring a deal may be a better alternative than a fight with the railroad company looking to close the Seventh Avenue railroad crossing at North Washington Street.

Norfolk Southern Railway closed the crossing, ostensibly to make repairs, months ago, but has since asked permission to close the crossing permanently. The crossing remains closed, and a company official told Albany city commissioners that the request was made for safety reasons.

The request brought out several negative responses from companies that use the crossing to reach North Washington Street to access North Jefferson Street and the U.S. 19 Bypass during a public hearing earlier this month.

The railroad notified the city of its decision to close the crossing in April and in May opened discussion of a permanent closure.

Norfolk Southern requested the closing of the Third Avenue and Seventh Avenue crossings in 2018. The city denied the request, and ultimately the Georgia Department of Transportation granted an appeal that required the closing at Third Avenue.

At that time, the railroad did not pursue an appeal at Seventh Avenue.

In October, Norfolk Southern petitioned to have the crossing permanently closed. That notification set the clock ticking, with the city having 90 days to hold a public hearing and respond to the petition.

During a Tuesday meeting, City Administrator Terrell Jacobs said that he and Assistant City Manager Bruce Maples have approached the company to discuss the matter.

“Trying to find a solution (where) everybody can win might be more amenable to us,” he said. “If we deny it … and they get to close it, we might get nothing.

“It’s difficult for people driving on Washington back to Jefferson, which is the problem most folks have.”

The railroad has indicated that it may be willing to provide some funding toward a city project that would provide access. During the public hearing Maples said that a Washington Street extension to the bypass is on the drawing board and could be a solution.

On another road-related issue, Commissioner Jon Howard requested a community meeting on the upcoming demolition of the Oglethorpe Boulevard bridge over the Flint River.

No timetable has been given, and that is one of the questions that officials hope a meeting with the Georgia Department of Transportation and the project contractor can help clear up. The work is scheduled for completion by late 2026, which means the bridge that ferries some 20,000 cars across the river each day will have a big impact on commuters.

“We’ve been in discussion with GDOT,” interim Director of Engineering Rob Griffin told commissioners. “We’ve had discussions, and we’re basically trying to get everyone together.”

Staff Photo: Alan MauldinAlanMauldin[email protected]
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