New path to walk, bike or roll opens between recreation areas in Sandy Delta
 ODOT Region 1 Manager Rian Windsheimer (left center) and Metro Councilor Ashton Simpson cut the ribbon Friday, Nov. 6, celebrating the opening of the multi-use path connecting paths between the Jordan Road pedestrian tunnel under Interstate 84 and the Sandy River Delta.
Ribbon cutting celebrates completion of Jordan Road Multi-Use Path in Troutdale
Newsrooms: Event video and photos here
News media contact: David House, 503-551-8641
Nov. 6, 2026
TROUTDALE – If you enjoy walking, biking or rolling between the Lewis and Clark State Recreation area and the Sandy River Delta, a new paved, accessible path is now open.
A ribbon cutting Nov. 6 in Troutdale with federal, state and local partners celebrated the opening of the paved path along Jordan Road that connects recreation area south of Interstate 84 with the delta through the pedestrian and bicycle tunnel under I-84.
The path runs parallel to Jordan Road near Exit 18 on I-84 and replaces a gravel path, adding to 140 miles of trails in the Portland Metro area including a new connection to the Sandy River Delta recreation area.
The project was made possible by a Congressionally Designated Spending award in 2023, thanks to Oregon’s federal delegation – Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, and former Rep. Earl Blumenauer.
ODOT Region 1 Manager Rian Windsheimer hosted Friday’s ribbon cutting at the east end of the new path just north of the interstate. Other state, city, county, federal officials and project teams joined the celebration.
“The new path represents an important active transportation connection to the existing 40-mile loop, the Sandy River Confluence, Troutdale and all the way through the Columbia River Gorge through the state trail,” ODOT Region 1 Manager Rian Windsheimer said. “This is a true multi-jurisdictional project, and a great example of a partnership. Projects like this take coordination, patience, shared vision and all of us working together to make these multimodal connections work.”
The original concept originated with the Friends of the 40 Mile Loop and Metro based on a vision by Olmsted brothers in the early 1900s. Today the Metro area's network of trails covers closer to 140 miles. The project was in Metro’s 2023 Regional Transportation Plan financially constrained list.
“This trail not only advances the vision of the 40-mile loop, but connects with recent investments like the Ch’ak Ch’ak Trail, the Sharon Nesbit Heritage Park and the Sandy River Delta,” Metro Councilor Ashton Simpson said. “Together these projects create safer, healthier and more accessible ways for people to experience outdoors whether they are walking, biking, commuting or just simply enjoying nature.”
The new path connects to the recently completed City of Troutdale’s Ch’ak Ch’ak Trail, which opened in 2024, and the Sharon Nesbit Heritage Park, which opened in 2025 on the west side of the Sandy River. It is an extended connection to the U.S. Forest Service’s Sandy River Delta recreation area.
“I just want to thank all of our federal delegates for the work that they have done in getting funding for this fine trail,” Troutdale City Manager Mike Weston said. “It is a great connection to the City of Troutdale. We recently finished the Sharon Nesbit Trail on the other side of the river, and this is just an amazing link to the 1,000 acres in the Sandy Delta.”
The project is part of a broader vision to expand accessibility to the region’s recreational trails.
“It also is part of our vision with the national scenic area to expand recreation users to all types of users, as well as working with a wide variety of partners to help deliver on our vision to have a seamless experience for all users throughout the whole scenic area,” said Marin Palmer, U.S. Forest Service Interim National Scenic Area Director.
Construction began in spring 2026, and the path opened for use Nov. 6, but you might continue to see workers performing finishing touches on the project for a few weeks. Construction cost about $2.7 million.
For more about the project, visit the ODOT project site. For more information on the Historic Columbia River Highway, visit the highway news site.
 These are sections along Jordan Road from spring 2026 (left) before and after construction in October 2026 of the new multi-use path along Jordan Road in Troutdale.
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