Community Connections

In 2021 Benton County renamed the Corvallis-Albany Bikeway Project to the Community Connections Project. We believe this better reflects the path's purpose of offering the two cities a safe, new connection for pedestrians and cyclists to travel between the North Albany area and Downtown Corvallis.

We’re excited to share with you that Benton County is continuing to move forward with a portion of the U.S. 20 community connection route between Corvallis and Albany.

In April of 2017, after extensive community outreach to property owners, community members, Bicycle Advisory committee members, and other stakeholders, the Benton County Board of Commissioners directed staff to focus on a final destination for a connective path along U.S. 20.

This project was placed on hold in 2019 to allow for additional route research regarding private property impacts, project costs, funding options, constructability, safety, traffic and environmental impacts.

The Pilkington to Merloy Connection is moving forward! The continuation of this connection was made possible by a Community Paths Grant awarded to the County in 2021. Construction of the Pilkington to Merloy connection is tentatively scheduled for 2022. Benton County has contracted with David Evans and Associates to provide preliminary design services and right-of-way acquisition assistance.

The County is working closely with the Oregon Department of Transportation while they move forward with design of the U.S. 20 safety improvement projects. This collaborative effort will ensure the vision for the community connections from Corvallis to Albany can be realized.