Historic Columbia River Highway News -- March 2018

Destruction and rebirth in the Columbia Gorge

The Eagle Creek Fire created significant damage and challenges in the Gorge. While Interstate 84 was reopened after the fire, sections of the Historic Highway and State Trail remain closed. 

Though the destruction, there are indications that the fire, from an ecological perspective is part of a forest’s natural process of rebirth. 

The fire burned ground-hugging vegetation, but the newly bare soil now has an opportunity to regenerate new plants. The trees that were burned and killed will decompose and provide habitat for a variety of insects, providing food for birds and other animals. Trees that burned and fall into waterways provide natural habitat for aquatic species to spawn and feed. 

While the Gorge and the fire area will look different to us, it is important to keep in mind that fire is a regenerative, natural process in a forest, and to continue to look for the biological benefits that result.

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At right: A fern begins to grow amid burned vegetation in the Columbia Gorge. 
(Photo courtesy of USFS)

Working away at congestion

The Historic Columbia River Highway Congestion and Transportation Safety Plan held its first public workshop on Feb. 13 in Corbett. We had a robust turnout to talk about the existing conditions (prior to the Eagle Creek Fire) of traffic levels, speeds, congestion, pedestrian numbers and parking occupancy.

Attendees also learned about the five groups of tools that the project team is considering moving forward to create scenarios: capacity improvements, technology systems, transit, mobility improvements and visitor experience Improvements.

Next, the project team will create scenarios with various tools in order to evaluate how each of the scenarios would meet the project goals of reducing congestion, improving safety and enhancing the visitor experience. 

View meeting materials

Rising from the snow

Crews have been making great progress for the construction of the Wyeth to Lindsey Creek section of the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail. Our contractor will be working full tilt this spring on many of the State Trail features. 

The Gorton Creek pedestrian bridge, Summit Creek Viaduct and Lindsey Creek Benchcut will be near completion by this summer. The bin wall at Shellrock Mountain is being reinforced with concrete and re-stained to better blend in with the surrounding landscape. The impressive concrete structures seen from I-84 are the arched piers of the Summit Creek Viaduct, which will only continue to take shape in the next few months.

To facilitate construction on the bin walls at Shellrock Mountain and the Summit Creek Viaduct, a lane closure is in place for westbound I-84 until mid-May. 

Designing the final five

Meanwhile, the Mitchell Point Crossing (Segment F) and Viento to Ruthton Park (Segments E, G, H) are in the initial phases of design. 

Consultants tested and analyzed the condition of the rock at Mitchell Point and are sharing the results at the March 15 Advisory Committee meeting. The consultants are also laying out the initial trail alignment for Viento to Ruthton Park while navigating the steep terrain, adjacency to I-84 and incorporating the majestic views of the Gorge. There’s much more news to come as the design phase progresses on the final five miles. 

Above: The Summit Creek Viaduct arched piers rise out from the snowy landscape. Right: Crews work on laying the water line for the water refill station at Wyeth.