Historic Highway News
Frozen moments
 Vista House coated in ice during the January 2024 storm.
The Makers of the New Mitchell Point Tunnel
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Construction on the Mitchell Point Tunnel continues! As we prepare for a 2024 opening, we are going behind the scenes and showcasing the craftsmanship that has gone into building the new Mitchell Point Tunnel in a video series. Watch the first two videos:
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Restoring the Multnomah Falls Viaducts
Two historic viaducts carry traffic on the Historic Columbia River Highway to Multnomah Falls. The viaducts are original to the Historic Highway and over 100 years old.
Upcoming repairs will allow the viaducts to continue carrying traffic along the Historic Highway for years to come. Construction will close one viaduct at a time between fall and spring each year (2024 to 2026).
Columbia Gorge businesses and organizations can view a library of resources to help share information about this project.
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Summer Congestion: Timed Use Permits
The U.S. Forest Service is reinstating its seasonal Timed Use Permit system for accessing Multnomah Falls from I-84 Exit 31. Between May 24 and Sept. 2, 2024, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., a Timed Use Permit is required for each personal vehicle accessing Multnomah Falls from Exit 31. Permits must be obtained in advance on recreation.gov for a $2 transaction fee and are available two weeks before the date of visit.
A limited number of permits will be available for same-day pickup without the fee at the Gateway to the Gorge Visitor Center in Troutdale and the Cascade Locks Historical Museum.
Timed use permits are not required on the Historic Columbia River Highway/U.S. 30 in 2024. There is no parking along the shoulder of the road, and parking is extremely limited at the small lot along the Historic Highway/U.S. 30 at Multnomah Falls. Starting in late March 2024, Sasquatch Shuttle will charge for parking in this lot on a first-come, first served basis. There are six ADA parking spots at this lot for those with valid ADA placards.
2024 Reconnection Report
The 2024 Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail Reconnection Report highlights the light at the end of the Mitchell Point Tunnel. Once the tunnel opens this year, only 2 miles of trail remain to complete the connection.
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Apply for the Historic Columbia River Highway Advisory Committee
Governor's Representative for Multnomah County and Hood River seats open
There are openings for the Governor’s Representative for both Multnomah County and Hood River County on the Historic Highway Advisory Committee. The committee advises the State of Oregon on issues relating to the Columbia River Highway, and the Historic Highway State Trail including: funding, project prioritization, project design details, long-range planning and congestion solutions.
This is a ten-member committee with six members from the community: two from Multnomah, Hood River, and Wasco Counties – one appointed by the Governor, and one appointed by the respective County Commission. The remaining members include the Transportation Department Director, the Parks and Recreation Department Director, the State Historic Preservation Officer, and the Tourism Commission Chief Executive Officer, or their delegates.
The Governor is committed to ensuring that all Boards and Commissions represent the growing age, racial and gender diversity of the state. This is an amazing opportunity to pool our collective viewpoints, visions, and hopes for Oregon — and all residents are welcome and encouraged to apply.
Commitment
The Committee meets a minimum of four times a year, and a term is four years starting on July 1 of the year of appointment. Meetings are around 4 hours in length, not including travel time and there is both an in-person meeting option and a remote meeting option via Zoom. In-person meeting locations rotate through the Oregon Gorge communities between Troutdale and The Dalles. ODOT provides lunch at in-person meetings. Members are eligible for reimbursement for mileage only, as provided by ORS 292.495 (2). All meetings are during the day on weekdays, though timing may be adjusted due to member scheduling conflicts.
Committee members are expected to review meeting materials prior to the meeting, attend and provide feedback and input on items on the agenda, and act as an ambassador and supporter for the Historic Columbia River Highway and State Trail.
Members of the committee are encouraged to:
- Share their personal and/or professional experiences of living, working, traveling, or spending time along or near the Historic Columbia River Highway.
- Attend/participate in transportation and park project development committee meetings.
- Occasionally represent the Advisory Committee in public forums.
- Be available to support other Historic Columbia River Highway Advisory Committee activities, including work sessions, subcommittees and presentations.
- Participate in additional meetings with the Oregon Transportation Commission, OPRD Commission, Tourism Commission, Columbia Gorge Commission County Commissions and City Councils.
Applying
To complete your application packet, complete the application on WorkDay, along with your resume, a statement of interest and a bio.
The Hood River position will be posted on Workday for application soon. Please check back or email staff to be notified when the posting is available.
Additional Advisory Committee 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: 830 8919 5859
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: 830 8919 5859
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 15.
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.
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