Virtual meeting details included

Advisory Committee to meet virtually May 12

The Historic Columbia River Highway Advisory Committee will hold a supplemental meeting focused on the Cascade Avenue Design Refinement Plan from 1-3 p.m. Wednesday, May 12, 2021. The meeting will be virtual, in alignment with Gov. Kate Brown’s directive to "Stay Home, Save Lives." 

At 12:30 p.m., we will test video and audio connections. 

At 1 p.m., the meeting will begin. 

On the agenda:

• Cascade Avenue Design Refinement Plan. 
• Friends of the Columbia Gorge trail alignment updates. 

The full agenda and materials will be available online in advance of the meeting.

ODOT is committed to maintaining accessibility and transparency for all public meetings. 

To join the meeting, click the link below. View more information on how to join or submit a comment at the bottom of this email. 

Join the meeting

Historic Highway News

Join the Mitchell Point Virtual Groundbreaking Ceremony Thursday!

We hope you can participate in our Mitchell Point Tunnel groundbreaking! At 6 p.m. on May 6, join us on Facebook or YouTube to watch a commemorative video. We will announce the winners of the art contest before the video screening.

Join on YouTube

Join on Facebook

Above: The rehabilitated Oneonta Tunnel, looking west. 

Below: The wood lining, looking east.

Oneonta Tunnel rehabilitation complete ​The 125-foot Oneonta Tunnel originally opened in 1914 as part of the Historic Columbia River Highway. In 1948, ODOT redirected traffic around the tunnel and filled it with rubble. In 2009, ODOT restored it for bicycle and pedestrian use as part of the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail. The 2017 Eagle Creek Fire badly damaged the Oneonta Tunnel’s wood lining. Now, crews have completed fire recovery work and reopened the Oneonta Tunnel!  Please note, the West Oneonta Gorge, including Oneonta Trail and Triple Falls, remains closed due to fire hazards. Visit ReadySetGorge.com for recreation information.

Please Plan and Prepare Before Visiting the Gorge

Visit ReadySetGorge.com to plan your trip and get prepared, including seeing what trails are open or closed. 

Tips for avoiding crowds as we enter summer season:

• Go mid-week. You’re way more likely to have trails to yourself if you visit during the week and during shoulder seasons.
• Go early. When visiting on the weekends, aim to arrive no later than 9 a.m. to help your chances of getting a parking spot.
• Leave your car at home. Check out GorgeCarFree.com to learn how to get to and from popular destinations such as Dog Mountain, Multnomah Falls, Hood River and Portland.

If you go by car, only park in designated areas. Always have two backup destinations in mind in case your top choice is too crowded or the parking area is full.

More tips

Landslide Repairs

Over the winter, multiple landslides developed in the Gorge from Cascade Locks to Corbett and caused closures of the Historic Highway and several I-84 ramps.

We recently reopened the Historic Highway between Bridal Veil and Ainsworth after an extended closure due to landslides. 

One location about a mile west of Multnomah Falls saw more than 30 debris flows, a type of fast-moving landslide. These flows repeatedly deposited large rocks, trees, mud and other materials on the Historic Highway and the adjacent railroad tracks.

Crews have completed temporary slope repairs at this location and we expect additional work will continue throughout the summer months.

Upcoming work

East of Cascade Locks, an embankment or shoulder slide occurred alongside I-84 west and repair work is needed to secure the embankment.

This week, crews will use shoulder closures to prepare the site. Beginning Friday, one lane of I-84 west will be closed around-the-clock at the landslide location to allow for repairs to take place. The speed will be reduced to 55 mph.

Travelers should plan for delays during peak travel times. Check TripCheck.com for real-time traffic conditions. 

During work, the shoulder of I-84 west will also be closed. A signed detour for people riding bikes on I-84 west is available by taking I-84 Exit 51 and following Wyeth Road into Cascade Locks.

We anticipate this work to be complete in June 2021. 

Additional Meeting Information

Joining the meeting

The meeting will take place on Zoom and is open to the public. You can join online or by phone.

To join online:

Click here to join the meeting. The meeting password is: HCRH_AC

No RSVP is needed. Alternatively, enter the meeting ID into Zoom: 890 3367 9430

You do not need a Zoom account to access the meeting. You may be prompted to enter your name or email address -- the information you enter may be visible to those attending the meeting.

To join by phone:

1. Dial +1 253-215-8782
2. 2. Enter the meeting ID: 890 3367 9430

Technical support and accommodations

Visit Zoom's Help Center. For technical support before or during the meeting, you may contact Roxane.GLYNN@odot.state.or.us or 503-731-3246.

For ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) or Civil Rights Title VI accommodations, translation/interpretation services, or more information call 503-731-4128, TTY (800) 735-2900 or Oregon Relay Service 7-1-1.

To request printed materials, please contact Roxane.GLYNN@odot.state.or.us or 503-731-3246 by May 7.

Providing public comment

During the meeting:

Attendees will be muted. The Advisory Committee will provide opportunities for public comment. If you have a question or comment you can:

• Use the "raise hand" option. You will be able to un-mute your microphone. Please introduce yourself and ask your question or provide your comment.
• If you are attending by phone, dial *9 to raise your hand. Dial *6 to mute/unmute your microphone.
• Use the chat option to type your question or comment.

In advance of the meeting: If you are unable to attend the virtual meeting, you can send comments to Roxane.GLYNN@odot.state.or.us or 503-731-3246 until noon on Monday, May 10. Comments will be shared with the Advisory Committee.