Historic Highway News
 Dedicating the Mitchell Point Tunnel
Hundreds of people boarded shuttle buses Nov. 16 to be among the first people to walk through the new Mitchell Point Tunnel and help celebrate the dedication. ODOT, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, Federal Highway Administration Western Federal Lands, and other project partners hosted the celebration to give the community an opportunity to preview the tunnel and the new segment of the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail.
The event featured speakers, including former U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio, a historic car from the original tunnel’s era, information booths and tunnel experts. Following the ribbon cutting, families, neighbors and trail enthusiasts explored the tunnel. Some visitors told stories of traveling through the original tunnel in the 1950s.
Thank you to NW Navigator Luxury Coaches for providing service to the event and to everyone who came out to celebrate with us!
View photos on our Flickr page and a video of the event. More information about the Mitchell Point Tunnel, including a podcast series, can also be found online here.
The new trail segment with the tunnel remains under construction. It is expected to be open to the public in late 2024 or early 2025. When it opens, access will be available from I-84 eastbound at Exit 58.
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Restoring the Multnomah Falls Viaducts: work continues
The Historic Columbia River Highway is closed between Wahkeena Falls and Multnomah Falls until Memorial Day for repairs to the west viaduct.
Crews working on the Historic Highway removed all the old asphalt from the surface and prepared the west viaduct for a new concrete surface.
Work also continues under the east viaduct without impacting traffic. We will close the Historic Highway east of Multnomah Falls beginning fall 2025 for similar repairs.
The repairs will allow the viaducts to continue carrying traffic to Multnomah Falls for years to come.
Columbia Gorge businesses and organizations can view a library of resources to help share information about this project.
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2025 Construction projects
- We are making sidewalk curb ramps safer on U.S. 30 (Cascade Avenue and Oak Street) in Hood River by bringing them up to the current standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act. We are also upgrading sidewalk corners from Mt. Adams Avenue to E 2nd Street and adding a new ramp at some corners. Construction began in November and will continue through summer 2025. Learn more.
- Beginning in spring 2025, we will begin construction to replace the aging bridge that carries eastbound I-84 over McCord Creek near Warrendale. Replacing the bridge will eliminate a dip in the roadway and increase safety, earthquake resilience, and the lifespan of the highway. Learn more.
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Starting as soon as January 2025, we are repairing the Bridal Veil bridge along the Historic Columbia River Highway by restoring the concrete railings and patching exposed rebar on the bottom of the bridge. Once the structural work is complete, a tinted coating will be applied to railings and columns to help blend the appearance of new and old concrete. The bridge railings will then be left alone to allow moss to return naturally, providing the natural Gorge aesthetic people know and love. Learn more.
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: 858 0621 8438
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: 858 0621 8438
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 Dec. 5.
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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