Construction begins on 1.3 mile section of Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail

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(Image: ODOT)

2016 will be a big year for the Historic Columbia River Highway. The legendary road was a scenic precursor to Interstate 84 when it opened 100 years ago, but it fell into disrepair and was largely forgotten until the past decade or so when an effort to rebuild it as a (mostly) walking and biking path took hold. Proponents of the highway hoped to have all 73 miles of the original route from Troutdale to The Dalles completed by this year in time for a big centennial celebration. While they’re about 10 miles short of their goal, the celebration will still happen and there’s more progress this month as construction begins on a new 1.3-mile section of the trail.

The new section of trail starts about seven miles west of Hood River and will go from Lindsey Creek to the Starvation Creek trailhead. The new path will be paved and the project includes a 50-foot bridge, a waterfall viewing area, trailhead improvements at Starvation creek, and more.

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Looking east along I-84.
(Photo: ODOT)

This part of the project should be completed by late September of this year.

As the Historic Highway becomes ever so closer to completion, the most challenging sections remain unfunded and unplanned: getting through Mitchell Point and around Shellrock Mountain. Those final five miles are estimated to cost over $30 million and could require a tunnel and rock-blasting to punch the path through to Hood River.

You can get involved with this project through the Friends of the Historic Columbia River Highway and get project updates and more information at HistoricHighwayStateTrail.org.

— Jonathan Maus, (503) 706-8804 – jonathan@bikeportland.org

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Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Founder of BikePortland (in 2005). Father of three. North Portlander. Basketball lover. Car owner and driver. If you have questions or feedback about this site or my work, feel free to contact me at @jonathan_maus on Twitter, via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Also, if you read and appreciate this site, please become a supporter.

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Adam
Adam
8 years ago

I had no idea parts of this project weren’t funded yet 🙁

ethan
ethan
8 years ago

I wonder how much farther they could have built the trail if they didn’t have to make giant parking lots.

Steve B.
Steve B.
8 years ago
Reply to  ethan

If you’re referring to the Starvation Creek Trailhead image, there’s already a parking lot there. Not everyone travels to this area by bike, some folks may drive and walk the route.

Matt S.
Matt S.
8 years ago
Reply to  Steve B.

I would say the vast majority drive, park and recreate. Which is sensible.
Most people couple their outdoor activities with car use.

Dan A
Dan A
8 years ago
Reply to  Matt S.

Indeed, our Scout Troop is riding 20 miles of the HCRH next month, starting in Cascade Locks. Not exactly practical for us to start 56 miles away.

Pete
Pete
8 years ago

“…the most challenging sections remain unfunded and unplanned: getting through Mitchell Point and around Shellrock Mountain.”

I’m still eager to see how this will be conquered, much less funded. There are significant geographical challenges here east of the Wygant Trail, let alone passing Mitchell Point. I’ve traversed the power line right of way just south of here, but it’s got some really steep pitches, and the rain and frost reshape it pretty much every year anyway.

Granpa
Granpa
8 years ago
Reply to  Pete

Good point Pete, The structures at the entrances of the Mosier Twin Tunnels are rock fall catchment. Along the eastern portion of the Gorge the cliffs are always sloughing off bits. (and by bits, I mean rocks big enough to cause serious and likely permanent, damage) I suspect the design and construction of this portion will be costly.

Jeff
Jeff
8 years ago

$30 million is such short money in the calculus of infrastructure building for any type of infrastructure except cycling. Sad, the state of those affairs, but encouraging they’re making progress nonetheless.

eddie
eddie
8 years ago

Has anyone tried cycling out the old highway as far as the bridge of the gods? What’s it like? Safe ish? I’m thinking to access some Columbia Wilderness areas by bike this summer.

Alex Reed
Alex Reed
8 years ago
Reply to  eddie

It was fine but I’ll probably never do it again (note: I have very little tolerance for mixing with many cars; I’m a greenway and MUP only kind of guy in Portland). Lots of traffic between Troutdale and Ainsworth State Park (a little past Multnomah) on a rural type highway with no space for bikes. After that it was super nice, although there is a staircase to deal with. Once you cross the BOTG Highway 14 was kind of harrowing for me although there is a shoulder for almost all of it. Great scenery of course but I would trade it in a minute to mix with fewer cars. My personal preference is for gravel roads in the middle of nowhere; unfortunately, it seems you have to ride on some nasty rural highways to get any of that around here (except for Leif Ericson which I love but gets monotonous).

Jim Labbe
8 years ago

What is the source of funding for this and other trail segments?

My guess is that some of the funding is from the voter-approved dedication of lottery funds to parks (Measure 76) but there are probably multiple sources.