Historic Highway News
$11 million awarded for Historic Highway State Trail construction
 Looking west on I-84 toward Mitchell Point. The future trail will be to the right (north) of the highway for most of this area.
Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden and U.S. Representative Earl Blumenauer announced the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration is awarding the Oregon Department of Transportation $11 million to make further progress on the final segment of its sweeping project to reconnect the Historic Columbia River Highway.
The $11 million in federal funding will specifically support construction of a section of the remaining portion of the project, which is a 1.7-mile bicycle- and pedestrian hard-surface trail between Mitchell Point and Ruthton Trailhead in Hood River.
The Makers of the New Mitchell Point Tunnel
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As we prepare for a fall 2024 opening of the Mitchell Point Tunnel, we are going behind the scenes and showcasing the craftsmanship that has gone into building the new Mitchell Point Tunnel in a video series.
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Restoring the Multnomah Falls Viaducts
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 and repairs will the viaducts to continue carrying traffic for years to come.
Construction will close the west viaduct between fall 2024 and spring 2025.
Columbia Gorge businesses and organizations can view a library of resources to help share information about this project.
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Reminder: Permits required at I-84 Exit 31 for Multnomah Falls
The U.S. Forest Service reinstated 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 are 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. Sasquatch Shuttle is charging 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.
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Improvements complete at Rand Road in Hood River
A project is now complete to rebuild the intersection of U.S. 30 (Cascade Ave.) and Rand Road to align the north and south roads of the intersection, add a traffic signal, improve or add sidewalk and curb ramps accessible to people with disabilities, improve storm water drainage, and add new street-lighting. These changes will increase safety and improve traffic operations and accessibility for all travelers.
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Upcoming construction on I-84 and the Historic Highway for 2024
Construction season is beginning for multiple projects in the Columbia River Gorge between I-205 and Hood River. We are improving Interstate 84, the Historic Columbia River Highway and extending the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail. Two projects are starting soon:
- We are preparing to install new curve warning signs, upgrade existing signs, and replace signals in about 50 locations to improve safety on the Historic Highway between Troutdale and Hood River.
- We will repair a culvert that carries Ruckel Creek under I-84 just west of Cascade Locks to prevent potential flooding and roadway damage.
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: 847 3183 2859
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: 847 3183 2859
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 June 14.
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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