Historic Highway News
 Above: An aerial view of the under construction Mitchell Point Tunnel with entrances and five arched windows visible.
Below: Crews walk through the tunnel after a fresh coat of shotcrete, which is concrete containing steel fibers and sprayed into place.
Mitchell Point Tunnel: reconnected
For the first time in nearly 70 years, people are able to journey through a tunnel at Mitchell Point.
This spring, we finished rock blasting and excavating the 655-foot tunnel. Crews are lining the Mitchell Point Tunnel with structural shotcrete, which is concrete containing steel fibers and sprayed into place. Next, crews will add another coat of shotcrete tinted to mimic the color of the natural rock. Work will continue outside of the tunnel, including masonry walls, and grading and eventual paving of the trail.
The tunnel is scheduled to open to the public as part of the Historic Highway State Trail in 2023.
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Waterfall Corridor & Multnomah Falls Timed Use Permits underway
Planning a trip to Multnomah Falls or the Waterfall Corridor? Reserve your permit up to two weeks in advance on Recreation.gov.
Between May 24 and Sept. 5, 2022, a Timed Use Permit is required for each personal vehicle accessing federal lands adjacent to the Waterfall Corridor between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. just east of the Bridal Veil off-ramp (Exit 28) to Ainsworth State Park (Exit 35).
In addition to the Waterfall Corridor Timed Use Permits, the USFS has reinstated Multnomah Falls Timed Use Permits for visitors using the I-84 (Exit 31) parking lot during the same time period. The permits are two separate systems and are not interchangeable.
How to Secure a Multnomah Falls or Waterfall Corridor Timed Use Permit:
1. Visit Recreation.gov or the mobile app.
2. If you don’t already have one, set up a Recreation.gov account.
3. Select your day and time of arrival and reserve your permit.
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Draft Legislative Proposal: Mount Hood and Columbia River Gorge Recreation Enhancement and Conservation Act
In May, Congressman Earl Blumenauer (OR-03) introduced the Mt. Hood and Columbia River Gorge Recreation Enhancement and Conservation (REC) Act. According to Blumenauer's office, the bill creates a leading model of Tribal co-management on the Forest, retains and restores healthy ecosystems, develops long term sustainable recreation and transportation plans for the region, and enhances community resilience through climate adaptation and mitigation.
There is a a public comment portal on his website to accept ongoing feedback.
Columbia River Gorge Commission Climate Change Action Plan draft available for comment
The Columbia River Gorge Commission draft Climate Change Action Plan is available for public comment until July 5, 2022. Visit the website to download the draft plan and read about the process of developing the Action Plan. Staff will host public information sessions throughout the comment period. You can still register on the website for sessions on June 13 at 6:30 p.m. or at 1 p.m. June 16.
Comments will be accepted via ClimateAction@gorgecommission.org until the deadline on July 5. There will also be time on the Gorge Commission’s June 14 monthly virtual meeting agenda to voice your comments
Additional Meeting Information
Joining the meeting
The meeting will take place in person and on Zoom and is open to the public. You can join in person, 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: 842 3929 1875
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:
- Dial +1 253 215 8782
- Enter the meeting ID: 842 3929 1875
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 503-731-8423.
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 503-731-8423 by June 13.
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 503-731-8423 until noon on Monday the week of the meeting. Comments will be shared with the Advisory Committee.
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