Virtual meeting details included

Advisory Committee to meet March 16

The Historic Columbia River Highway Advisory Committee will hold a meeting from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, March 16, 2023.

The meeting will include both an in-person option at the Hood River Library Jeanne Marie Gaulke Community Room located at 502 State Street and a virtual option via Zoom. 

At 9:45 a.m., we will test video and audio connections. 

At 10 a.m., the meeting will begin. 

On the agenda:

• Mileposts on the Historic Highway. 
• Summer congestion and Multnomah Falls permit update. 
• State Trail updates:
  • Construction updates for Viento State Park to Mitchell Point and the Mitchell Point Tunnel. 
  • Funding updates.
• Columbia Gorge Tourism Alliance Overview.
• Accessibility audit for destinations along the Historic Highway Waterfall Corridor. 

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. The Hood River Library meeting room is located on the lower level. Accessible parking is available at the SE corner of the building with access to the library's lower level. 

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

Coming late May 2023: Multnomah Falls Timed Use Permits required at I-84/Exit 31

Between May 26 and Sept. 4, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., a Timed Use Permit will be required for each personal vehicle accessing Multnomah Falls from Exit 31. Multnomah Falls permits will be available online for a $2 transaction fee per vehicle.

Timed use permits will not be required on the Historic Columbia River Highway/U.S. 30 in 2023. However, parking is extremely limited at the small lot along the Historic Highway/U.S. 30 at Multnomah Falls. A concessionaire will be operating this lot on a first-come, first served basis. There are six ADA parking spots at this lot for those with valid ADA placards. When the parking lot is full, vehicles will not be allowed to stop or wait for an open space. 

The most reliable way to see Multnomah Falls continues to be transit, by bicycle, or by tour/shuttle. Avoid the congestion by planning your trip in advance. Permits are only needed if you arrive by personal vehicle at I-84 Exit 31 for Multnomah Falls. 

If you want to visit Multnomah Falls by personal vehicle, the best way is to take I-84 to Exit 31. Permits will be available on recreation.gov two weeks in advance of your visit date. 

Learn more

Columbia River Gorge Construction: 2023

We’re improving Gorge highways and trails to bring you better trips with many upcoming projects over the next few years. We have new projects that will begin construction and projects that will continue work in 2023.

A site visit to the Mitchell Point Tunnel in February 2023. Masonry rock is installed in the walls. In the distance, the tunnel entrance is visible with scaffolding to install masonry rock.

• Construction continues at the Mitchell Point Tunnel segment of the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail. The Mitchell Point Tunnel is expected to open in 2024.

The site of future hiker-biker camp sites nestled in the trees adjacent Viento Creek.

• Construction continues on a new two-mile section of the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail connecting at Viento State Park and continuing east toward Mitchell Point. This segment is anticipated to open in late 2023. Expect around-the-clock lane closures on I-84 east near Exit 56 this spring.  
• Resurfacing begins inside the Toothrock Tunnel in spring 2023. The work will require around-the-clock lane closures and speed reductions in the tunnel.
• Paving and resurfacing begin for two sections of I-84: From Interstate 205 to 169th Avenue, and from just east of 201st Avenue to Marine Drive (exit 17).
• Construction begins in early 2023 at the intersection of U.S. 30 (Cascade Avenue) at Rand Road in Hood River to align the north and south roads of the intersection and install a new signal, improving safety and accessibility.

Learn more

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: HCRHAC

No RSVP is needed. Alternatively, enter the meeting ID into Zoom: 835 7341 3976

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.  Enter the meeting ID: 835 7341 3976

Technical support and accommodations

Visit Zoom's Help Center. For technical support before or during the meeting, you may contact Katelyn.Jackson@odot.oregon.gov or 503-731-8503.

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 Terra.M.Lingley@odot.oregon.gov or 503-731-8232 by March 13.

Providing public comment

During the meeting:

Virtual attendees will be muted. The Advisory Committee will provide opportunities for public comment both virtually and in person. If you have a question or comment while attending virtually, 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 meeting, you can send comments to Terra.M.Lingley@odot.oregon.gov or 503-731-8232 until noon on Monday the week of the meeting. Comments will be shared with the Advisory Committee.