|
May 16, 2025
For media inquiries: Kacey Davey, 541-280-2716
For questions or comments:Dee Hidalgo, 503-731-8230 or Terra Lingley, 503-351-0420
TROUTDALE – A section of the Historic Columbia River Highway (U.S. 30), originally scheduled to reopen Memorial Day 2025, has reopened early between Wahkeena Falls and Multnomah Falls. The closure allowed crews to restore the west viaduct, an elevated roadway registered as a National Historic Landmark. This restoration ensures the viaduct’s preservation and allows it to continue carrying traffic near Multnomah Falls.
Crews finished patching the original decorative concrete, reinforced the structure and poured a new road surface. Over the summer, travelers accessing the west viaduct can expect periodic single lane closures with flaggers directing traffic. These lane closures will allow crews to continue cleaning up the site and complete finishing touches on the railings. One lane of traffic will remain open to vehicles and bicyclists. The viaduct remains closed to pedestrians.
Starting in Fall 2025, the viaduct east of Multnomah falls will close to all traffic through Spring 2026 to complete similar repairs and restoration. While crews prepare the east viaduct for the work happening during the closure, expect periodic single lane closures with flaggers directing traffic.
 The viaduct west of Multnomah Falls Lodge has reopened to vehicles and bicyclists.
How to access Multnomah Falls and the Wahkeena Falls Trailhead
- Visitors to the waterfall corridor, Multnomah Falls Lodge, and nearby trails can now access these sites from the Historic Columbia River Highway (U.S. 30) west of Multnomah Falls Lodge.
- A Timed Use Permit will be required for visitors using the I-84 (Exit 31) Multnomah Falls parking lot between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. from May 23 through Sept. 1, 2025. Information about the permits is available at https://www.recreation.gov/.
- Visitors are encouraged to take transit to avoid parking delays. The Gorge has multiple public and private bus options to reach areas like Multnomah Falls. Visit org or ReadySetGOrge.com to find more information about routes, schedules and tickets.
- Drivers to Multnomah Falls may park in the lot at Exit 31 from I-84 or the smaller parking area on the Historic Columbia River Highway (U.S. 30). Real-time traffic impacts and cameras showing parking availability at the Exit 31 lot are available at TripCheck.com.
- Drivers may also reach the Wahkeena Falls Trailhead from both directions on the Historic Columbia River Highway (U.S. 30). All 29 parking stalls are available at the trailhead.
Viaduct repair schedule
- January 2024: Crews set up the project site and initiated periodic nighttime lane closures with flaggers directing traffic on the west viaduct.
- October 2024: The Historic Columbia River Highway (U.S. 30) just west of Multnomah Falls closed to all users to repair the west viaduct.
- May 16, 2025: The west viaduct reopens ahead of schedule.
- October 2025 to Memorial Day 2026: The Historic Columbia River Highway (U.S. 30) just east of Multnomah Falls closes to all users to repair the east viaduct. No access to Multnomah Falls by vehicles or bicyclists traveling westbound on the Historic Columbia River Highway (U.S. 30).
About the project
About 4,000 vehicles use the viaducts daily. The structures are original to the Historic Highway and listed as National Historic Landmarks. The repair work preserves the historic integrity so the viaducts, with their unique railings and stone support walls, look like they did when they were originally built in 1914.
The viaduct repairs include:
- Removing the aging asphalt and installing new concrete surface to match the original 1914 design in color and texture.
- Repairing railings, vertical columns, and horizontal support beams under the viaduct -- which have cracks and exposed rebar -- to improve stability and address erosion.
- Replacing permanent signs to meet current standards.
Please visit the website for more information.
|
