Columbia River Highway State Trail.
(Photos © J. Maus)
ODOT is hosting a presentation and open house tomorrow night (8/24) to get public input on the remaining 11-mile segment of the proposed Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail.
I took a ride on a segment of the trail back in 2007 and it was superb. Since then, advocates have worked closely with ODOT and Oregon State Parks on their dream of fully re-building the entire route. The old highway was completed in 1922, but fell into disrepair when Interstate 84 was built.
Today, several segments of the highway have been renovated. 61 of the 73 original miles are open to motor vehicles, but 11 miles of state trail — some of the most spectacular bicycling in the state — have already been completed. The remaining 11 miles still await construction and ODOT says the goal is to finish them by 2016; in time for the 100th anniversary of the Historic Columbia River Highway.
An article in The Oregonian today points out that, “When the westernmost segments of the trail are finished, a bicyclist will be able to ride from Troutdale to Cascade Locks and beyond. Some day the vision is that hikers and bikers will start in Portland and wind up in The Dalles.”
Among the amenities in the Trail Plan are overnight bike camping facilities. Here are more details on the open house:
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Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail Plan Open House
August 24th, 4-7:00 pm (Presentation at 5:30)
ODOT Region 1 Offices (123 NW Flanders)
Learn more about this project at the Friends of the Historic Columbia River Highway website.